FORUM: “Every contribution matters” International Volunteer Day 2025. More than 2.1 billion volunteers worldwide act every month to foster solidarity and humanity. Their efforts are vital for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, responding to humanitarian emergencies, and building resilient communities. IVY 2026 calls on governments, United Nations entities, civil society, academia and the private sector to deepen global understanding of volunteerism, promote knowledge-sharing, and integrate volunteering into national development strategies. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #5December, #everycontributionmatters, #InternationalVolunteerDay, #IVD2025.
EVENTS: On December 5th; The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) celebrates International Volunteer Day 2025 under the theme “Every contribution matters”, announcing two major milestones: The global launch of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY) 2026, as proclaimed by the UN General Assembly through resolution 78/127; and the release of the 2026 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (SWVR), which sets the tone for an initiative to recognize and advance volunteer contributions to sustainable development. The official opening of IVY 2026 takes place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Germany, Kazakhstan and UNV. The event features high-level remarks by the President of the General Assembly, the co-hosts, a multi-stakeholder Global Call to Action for the Future of Volunteering, and the unveiling of the 2026 SWVR.
Around the world, events marking International Volunteer Day and the launch of the International Volunteer Year are taking place this week; from a running activity and parade in Bangkok, to the International Forum of Civil Participation in Moscow, celebrations in Nantong and Shanghai in China, a regional launch in Uzbekistan and Kenya’s national launch at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, among many others. Register to participate!
Statement of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres International Volunteer Day 2025; December 5th.
In an era of political division and social isolation, volunteering offers a powerful way to forge connections and foster our shared humanity.
On this International Volunteer Day, we honour the millions across the globe stepping forward to serve their communities and advance the greater good.
In an era of political division and social isolation, volunteering offers a powerful way to forge connections and foster our shared humanity.
On this International Volunteer Day, we honour the millions across the globe stepping forward to serve their communities and advance the greater good.
This year’s theme, “Every Contribution Matters,” reminds us that everyone has something meaningful to offer, and that every cause, from hunger, to climate, to humanitarian action, benefits from the enthusiasm and expertise of volunteers.
I extend my deepest gratitude to the more than 14,000 people who have served through the United Nations Volunteers programme, and to the countless others who give their time and talents to help neighbours and strangers alike. Your commitment, solidarity and compassion are shaping a better world.
This week also marks the launch of the International Volunteer Year 2026.
Over the next twelve 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.
Together, we can grow a global movement of volunteers, and build a brighter, more caring future for all.
António Guterres, Secretary-General.
Today on International Volunteer Day 2025, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of volunteers across the world. That includes those who rush to disasters, who teach, mentor, and open
doors for the next generation or simply those who listen when no one else will.
We're also reminded that every contribution matters. More than 2.1 billion people volunteer every month. That's one in three working age adults choosing freely and without pay to make someone else's life better. The United Nations Development Program has been extremely proud to host United Nations volunteers since 1971. UNV has been an engine that promotes volunteerism worldwide and mobilizes talented individuals as UN volunteers across the United Nations system.
In 2025 alone, over 14,500 of them played a vital role from responding to disasters and conflicts, building peace, and advancing development in some of the world's most challenging contexts. The commitment, expertise and the compassion of UN volunteers are quietly changing the world. This international volunteer day also marks the launch of the international year of volunteer for sustainable development in 2026. It is an invitation to listen more deeply to volunteers, to support them more smartly, to measure their impact better and to celebrate their diversity and creativity.
Because when more people volunteer, communities grow stronger and the sustainable development goals become more likely a reality on the ground.
Finally, on behalf of UNDP, I would like to thank volunteers everywhere for your time, your skills, and your unshakable belief that a better word is possible.
Happy International Volunteer Day.
PUBLICATION: For more details, visit International Volunteer Day 2025, International Volunteer Year 2026, and read the 2026 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report.
PUBLICATION: For more details, visit International Volunteer Day 2025, International Volunteer Year 2026, and read the 2026 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report.
LIVESTREAM: Opening Event of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY) 2026.
- 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.
Get the Concept note!
Learn more about the International Volunteer Year.
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