Thank you volunteers!

 


“Over the next 12 months, I urge everyone, everywhere to volunteer for a cause that matters to you. In times of crisis and uncertainty, you can be the change you wish to see.” 

UN Secretary-General, António Guterres.

 
The opening event of the International Volunteer Year 2026 will be held at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. To watch, please tune in to UN TV on 5 December, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM [EST]. Aligned with the 2025 International Volunteer Day theme, "Every contribution matters", the event will serve as a platform for Member States to pledge concrete actions to operationalize resolution 78/127 – such as integrating volunteerism into national development strategies and establishing national committees to lead their International Volunteer Year campaigns at the country level.

  • Opening
  • Special Remarks
  • Launch of the 2026 State of the World's Volunteerism Report: Every contribution matters
  • Plenary
  • Closing

This opening event will bring together Member States, United Nations entities, civil society, academia, and the private sector to elevate the visibility of volunteers and position volunteerism as a strategic enabler of sustainable development, peacebuilding and humanitarian response. The event will feature the launch of the 2026 State of the World's Volunteerism Report, setting the tone for a year-long global initiative to recognize, amplify and advance the contributions of volunteers to global development and resilience. The event is co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Kazakhstan and Germany and the United Nations Volunteers programme.


Related Documents: International Volunteer Year & Resolution 78/127, the Concept note.

For more details, visit the International Volunteer Day, and check out the 2026 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report. Social media materials are available on UNV’s Trello board.


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