UN Names 2026 the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has officially proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, according to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service. This resolution was initiated by Kazakhstan and supported by 54 UN member states.
The year-long effort aims to integrate volunteering into the development agenda at the national, regional, and global levels. It also seeks to strengthen international cooperation on volunteerism and shape key directions for its future development.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan has emphasized the importance of volunteerism in the country, considering it a crucial component of building a Just Kazakhstan. He believes that volunteers, as true patriots, prioritize moral values and play a significant role in strengthening the partnership between the state and society.
In line with President Tokayev’s vision, 2020 was declared the Year of the Volunteer in Kazakhstan, and a Road Map for the Development of Volunteering in Kazakhstan for 2021-2023 was adopted. As a result, the number of volunteers in the country has reached 200 thousand, with Kazakhstani youth serving as UN volunteers in various countries around the world.
Furthermore, Kazakhstan hosted the International Volunteer Forum in Astana in July 2023, with the participation of the President, senior UN representatives, and volunteers from over 30 countries. This forum reaffirmed the important role of Kazakhstan in the global volunteer movement.
The adoption of this resolution highlights the commitment of Kazakhstan and its international partners to promoting volunteerism for sustainable development. The International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development in 2026 will provide a platform for enhancing the positive impact of volunteering on communities and advancing the global development agenda.
