On May 12–13, the UNV Asian Partner Roundtable was held at the headquarters of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program in Bonn. Organized within the framework of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IYV 2026), the event brought together government officials and volunteer organization representatives from Asian countries to discuss strategic partnerships and expand the role of volunteering in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The central theme of the meeting focused on how volunteer initiatives can strengthen solidarity and practical cooperation both regionally and globally. Participants analyzed the achievements of the Full Funding Program and the UNV Special Voluntary Fund, shared best practices, and identified new directions for work in the context of shifting priorities across Asia.
The delegation of Kazakhstan, led by Gulbara Sultanova, Chair of the Civil Society Affairs Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Information, held a bilateral meeting with UNV Executive Coordinator Toily Kurbanov. Kazakhstan, a strategic partner of UNV since 2019, confirmed its intention to increase its support for the Full Funding Program for the 2027–2029 period.
Under the new agreement, the government plans to fully fund seven international and five national UN Volunteer positions annually. Toily Kurbanov noted that Kazakhstan sets a global example by enshrining volunteering in its Constitution and actively supporting the IYV 2026 initiative. Kazakhstan also announced that it will host the inaugural CIS Volunteer Forum in Astana this coming August and has commenced work on a National Volunteer Index.
Representatives from Uzbekistan, including the leadership of the Youth Affairs Agency, highlighted the growing role of Uzbek volunteers on the international stage. The roundtable discussions covered the preparation of volunteers for global missions and the integration of innovative approaches into the country’s youth policy.
Uzbekistan is actively developing joint projects with UNV and UNDP, such as “Social Innovation and Volunteering in Uzbekistan,” which empowers youth to utilize their skills to address development challenges. As part of IYV 2026, the country plans to scale up the participation of its citizens in UN programs, contributing to solving environmental, social, and humanitarian challenges.
About the International Year of Volunteers (IYV 2026)
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. The primary objective of the year is to recognize and enhance the contribution of volunteers worldwide toward the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. IYV 2026 calls upon states to build inclusive policies and secure environments for the advancement of volunteering as a fundamental force that unites societies.
For more information, you may visit the official United Nations Volunteers website: www.unv.org.
