You were the 100th United Nations Youth Volunteer (UNYV) deployed by SEF. What is your assessment of this young talent promotion programme?

During the mission, Mr Kurbanov reiterated UNV’s support to the priorities of the UN Development System in China, as agreed for the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2021-2025). Accordingly, UNV will enhance volunteer mobilization and knowledge exchange for the advancement of South-South Cooperation, localization of the SDGs, youth empowerment and environmental protection, among other priority areas of engagement.

Kazakhstan contributes to the work of UNV through its Full Funding programme, cost-sharing efforts and support for International Volunteer Day (IVD) and other events. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan is a committed partner, and has been making a financial contribution of US $2,000 to UNV's Special Voluntary Fund (SVF) every year since 2016.

Since then, and despite the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic posed on the implementation of the UNV Full Funding Programme, a total of 62 Russian fully funded UN Volunteers have been supporting the development and humanitarian efforts of the UN worldwide. During 2024, 63 Russian nationals served as UN Volunteers, 25 of them fully funded by the Government.

For almost two years, I have been working with the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji. I am part of the inclusive growth team, supporting entrepreneurship, small and micro businesses, livelihoods and innovation in Pacific Island countries and territories. Our unit is relatively small and dynamic, so although my assignment title is in communications and partnerships, I have been engaged in diverse initiatives, together with other team members. For example, I have coordinated entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives, which I implemented with a national UN Volunteer.

Spain, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the deployment of fully funded UN Volunteers worldwide. For instance, these volunteers support UN efforts to defend human rights, promote gender equality and foster food security in Latin America and Africa.

In 2024, the Government of Luxembourg generously sponsored two assignments for nationals from its priority development cooperation countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear the importance of food security like never before. UN Volunteers are playing an important role in fighting hunger during the global crisis. Currently, there are 51 UN Volunteers serving with FAO globally, including 12 UN Volunteers in Europe and Central Asia region.

Dina is one of seven people selected for international volunteering in the framework of an agreement between the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and Kazakhstan. Knowledgeable young expert that she is, Dina is quickly adjusting to the UN environment and gaining sound experience in the field of international politics. Born and raised in Kazakhstan, the now 26-year-old volunteer serves at the UNDP office in Istanbul.

UN Volunteer Giada Rubina supports a specialized OHCHR unit in Honduras that promotes dialogue and provides technical assistance. She is particularly concerned with strict lockdown measures that have decreased access to legal aid, limited rights awareness and the movement of rights activists.