Speech by Vladanka Andreeva at " IVD2023" - International Volunteers Day event

It is my pleasure to join all of you today to mark this year’s International Volunteer Day - an international observance mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985. 

It is a day to pay tribute to volunteers worldwide and to recognize the value of volunteerism, in peace and development.

The theme of this year’s International Volunteer Day is: “If everyone did…”   and it underscores the power of collective action, cooperation, and people-led solutions to global challenges.  

Today, there are more than a billion volunteers around the world, acting in solidarity for humanity, for people and planet.  

If everyone volunteered, the world would be a better place. 

Imagine more than eight billion of us volunteering. Limitless possibilities for sustainable development – food and education for everyone, clean environment and good health, inclusive and peaceful societies, and more.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Within the UN, we have a dedicated programme – the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) - that provides global citizens with an opportunity to volunteer across the three pillars of the United Nations system: development; peace and security; and human rights.

 Volunteerism is an enormous renewable resource for social, economic and environmental problem-solving throughout the world. As the world faces multiple challenges, volunteers are often the first to help.

In 2022- 12,389 UNVs of 179 different nationalities served in 164 countries around the world.

I am happy to share that the UNV programme is also very active in Azerbaijan.  This year, we have a record number of UN Volunteers in Azerbaijan, with 43 UN Volunteers – men and women - currently actively serving.  They are both national and international volunteers, working across various UN agencies – WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, my office,  including through online volunteering.

To all our volunteers in Azerbaijan – through your work, you bring hope, inspiration, and positive changes to the communities you serve.  Thank you.

We also see great potential for more Azerbaijani volunteers to serve as international UN Volunteers, contributing to sustainable development and peace in other countries. 

I would like to commend the Government of Azerbaijan for their support to volunteerism in the country and congratulate the organizers for this event.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Government and other key stakeholders to further promote sustainable development in Azerbaijan, including through volunteerism.

Let’s re-commit to ensuring that everyone could help shape better future for all people and the planet we share.

Let’s stand with volunteers - Happy International Volunteer Day !