Chairperson,High Commissioner,Distinguished Delegates.I am honoured to address the Executive Committee on behalf of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV). Established by the General Assembly in 1970, UNV contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. As a system-wide service entity, UNV deploys UN Volunteers across the United Nations system, including in support of refugees and the communities that host them.

Mutlaq and Abdullah are Saudi UN Volunteers on parallel journeys, turning national expertise into global experience through the fully funded partnership between UNV and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Economy and Planning.

This is also Armenia’s first time hosting the UN biodiversity conference. The decision to hold COP17 in Yerevan was taken at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, where more than 800 UN Volunteers supported the conference.

“The cooperation between UNV and China began in 1981. The new agreement will continue to write a new chapter in the cooperation, playing the role of a bridge and link, and creating opportunities for more talents to participate in international volunteer services,” said Ai Yinfang, Deputy Director-General of CICETE.The Agreement builds on longstanding collaboration between UNV and partners in China, providing a stronger foundation to deepen the partnership and expand cooperation into new areas.