SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Madam President of the General Assembly, my fellow co-conveners, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,I stand here with the International Year 2026 logo in one hand and the 2026 report in the other.This means either of two things:First: it must be January somewhere.Second: someone has decided to start the International Year a little early.Frankly, this is exactly what you would expect from volunteers.They are the first to arrive, the last to leave, and occasionally show up before the calendar allows them to do so.⸻
05 December 2025
Global
Success stories
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
“In an era of political division and social isolation, volunteering offers a powerful way to forge connections and foster our shared humanity.On this International Volunteer Day, we honour the millions across the globe stepping forward to serve their communities and advance the greater good.This year’s theme, “Every Contribution Matters”, reminds us that everyone has something meaningful to offer, and that every cause, from hunger to climate to humanitarian action, benefits from the enthusiasm and expertise of volunteers.
01 December 2025
Global
Success stories
SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Just this week, I came across a 1995 UN briefing prepared for Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali ahead of his meeting with Chancellor Helmut Kohl.It proposed three talking points:1. Thank Germany for its generous air support to UN peacekeeping missions, with C-160 aircraft and CH-53G helicopters.
24 November 2025
Global
Success stories
SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Staatsministerin Güler,Landesminister Liminski,Ladies and gentlemen,Dear friends,Thank you for giving me the honour to say a few words on behalf of the United Nations in Bonn. Before coming here, I asked ChatGPT what would be the best speech about the UN to deliver to a German audience. It gave me a very good one—except the first sentence which went: “The UN is the only place where you can sit for hours and listen to a hundred speeches, and not one of them answers the question you asked.
05 November 2025
Global
Success stories
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Distinguished Delegates,It is always an honour to address the Executive Board. Though I must confess—summarizing the annual report of United Nations Volunteers is a bit like trying to tweet War and Peace. But I will try to do it justice. I also look forward to your guidance and questions from the board members and the observing delegations afterward.
05 June 2025
Global
Success stories
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Hello [ku-zu zang po la].
My name is Toily Kurbanov [Ni gi min Toily Kurbanov in].
I am the head of UN Volunteers. [UN Volunteers gi gupen in la ]
Honorable Prime Minister, Honorable Speaker, Honorable Cabinet Ministers, Honorable Leader of Opposition, Dashos, UN Resident Coordinator, UN Representatives, and most importantly, Desuups and Volunteers—thank you for being here.
Standing here in front of you, I see more than just mountains; I see the people who move them.
05 December 2024
Global
Success stories
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Whether responding to natural disasters, supporting communities in conflict or working to alleviate poverty, the selflessness and courage of volunteers shine through. And we are reminded that even the smallest acts have the power to change lives.
Our own United Nations Volunteers work to advance peace, justice and equality in 169 countries across the globe. This spirit of solidarity is the lifeblood of the Pact of the Future—adopted in September at the United Nations. The Pact illuminates a path forward grounded in trust and cooperation.
05 December 2024
Global
Success stories
SDG 1: No poverty, SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG 13: Climate change, SDG 14: Life below water, SDG 15: Life on land, SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
On this International Volunteer Day, the global community celebrates and honours the tireless dedication of volunteers worldwide. From addressing multifaceted global crises to supporting individuals in need, volunteerism embodies a spirit of solidarity, resilience, and compassion that our world so deeply needs.
04 December 2024
Global
Success stories
SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Your Excellency Mr President,
Ladies and gentlemen,
My name is Toily Kurbanov, and I bring to you greetings from 12,000 UN Volunteers worldwide. To help our interpreters: Менің атым Тойли Курбанов және мен сізге Біріккен Ұлттар Ұйымының волонтерлерінен сәлем жолдап келдім.
First, I thank the government of Kazakhstan for organizing this International Forum on Volunteering and for inviting UNV.
21 June 2023
Europe and Central Asia
Success stories
SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Thank you, Mr Chair and thank you Mme Associate Administrator for introducing the agenda item on behalf of UNDP. With your permission, I will continue with the presentation of the Annual Report of the Administrator on UNV.
07 June 2023
Global
Success stories