Manitra Raoliarisoa, former UN Volunteer Local Support Specialist with the United Nations Development Programme in Madagascar For over five years, I had the pleasure of serving as a national UN Volunteer with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and contributing to the development of my country – Madagascar. Time passed so fast, but the fond memories have stayed with me.

The UN Volunteers' fresh youth attitude, talent to navigate new technologies, and boldness for new ideas and innovation are highly appreciated. They all bring a genuine wish for change and a strong commitment to contributing to the achievement of SDG3: Good Health and Wellbeing. --Dr Jean-Marie Kipela, WHO representative in Guinea-Bissau

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. In its Voluntary National Review (VNR) the Government of the Russian Federation reported on this collaboration: "The Russian Federation is also cooperating with the UN Volunteers programme.

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.

Luxembourg was one of the 124 co-sponsors of the UN General Assembly Resolution on Volunteering for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (A/C.3/73/L.13) in 2018. In 2017, Luxembourg presented its Volunteer National Report, in the context of the Plan of Action to integrate volunteering in the 2030 Agenda.

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.