Kazakhstan Leads Launch of 2026 UN Year of Volunteers

Kazakhstan is taking center stage at the United Nations as the 2026 International Year of Volunteers officially kicks off, highlighting the country’s growing role in promoting global solidarity and sustainable development.

A high-level ceremony at UN Headquarters officially kicked off the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development 2026, an initiative spearheaded by Kazakhstan and supported by Germany and the UN Volunteers (UNV) programme, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The event brought together UN Member States, civil society, academia, and private-sector partners to highlight the growing role of volunteerism in driving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The initiative was proposed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and adopted by UN General Assembly Resolution 78/127.

UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock called volunteers the “backbone of sustainable development.” In a video address, President Tokayev stressed that volunteerism has become a “powerful force for good” amid today’s global challenges. He underscored Kazakhstan’s commitment, highlighting the nationwide “Taza Qazaqstan” environmental campaign and announcing plans to develop Almaty as a major UN cooperation hub, including a new UNV Subregional Office.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the world’s 14,000 UN Volunteers, noting that volunteering strengthens human connection in an era of division.

Representing Kazakhstan, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev emphasized the rise of “digital volunteers” using AI to aid emergency response. He noted that Kazakhstan now has nearly 300,000 active volunteers and unveiled a national Action Plan featuring ecological efforts to restore the Aral and Caspian Seas.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of the 2026 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report, setting the tone for a year of global community action.

Kazakhstan reaffirmed its readiness to work with all UN members to turn 2026 into a year of real impact, cooperation, and innovative solutions.