Over 1 billion volunteers work in service of their communities every day.

It is one of the clearest expressions of solidarity:

a recognition that our global community must work together to tackle our common challenges as outlined in the Global Goals: everything from driving down poverty to confronting climate change.

So far in the year 2022, over 11,000 UN Volunteers have served with over 56 UN entities as part of the UN Volunteers programme, which we are proudly hosting in the United Nations Development Programme.

Ranging from 18 to 81 years of age, this is the largest number of UN Volunteers ever.

That includes volunteers who are supporting communities to rebuild after the devastating floods in Pakistan.

They are helping to deliver essential services such as healthcare to communities impacted by the war in Ukraine.

Or look to Afghanistan, where volunteers are right now advancing peacebuilding efforts.

As the climate emergency accelerates, volunteers are also promoting climate-resilient agriculture in Zambia and promoting the transition to clean energies in the Comoros.

They are also working to protect and restore our natural world in countries such as Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Advancing gender equality and inclusion is a defining feature of United Nations Volunteers.

For instance, this year, nearly 200 UN Volunteers with disabilities are offering their skills and expertise to 22 UN agencies.

As we mark International Volunteer Day, we recognise the life-changing impact that volunteers are making to millions of people every day.

On behalf of UNDP, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to UN Volunteers and to volunteers everywhere for their extraordinary contributions to key areas like peace, development, and humanitarian assistance.

They are not only building a better world for tomorrow.

Working in solidarity with communities, they are building a better world today.

Achim Steiner, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Find out how you can become a UN Volunteer at unv.org