Kazakhstan proposes UN international portal for volunteers

The proposal was made by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva during a meeting with Toily Kurbanov, Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme, in Astana.

The sides discussed the results of joint work carried out as part of the International Year of Volunteers and further areas of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the UN Volunteers Programme.

Balayeva thanked Kurbanov and his team for their contribution to joint initiatives and highlighted Kazakhstan’s active role in promoting the International Year of Volunteers, which was initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

She also emphasized the importance attached by the president to the development of the volunteer movement in Kazakhstan.

Volunteerism in Kazakhstan enjoys comprehensive support from the president. Since 2019, which was declared the Year of the Volunteer by the head of state, the movement has received strong momentum and continues to develop dynamically, Balayeva said.

She noted that volunteering now covers a wide range of areas and brings together people regardless of age. The importance of volunteerism has also been reflected in Kazakhstan’s new Constitution, with the status of volunteering being enshrined at the constitutional level.

According to Balayeva, the International Year of Volunteers should serve not only as a series of individual events but also as an opportunity to establish long-term mechanisms for developing the volunteer sector.

In this context, Balayeva proposed considering the creation of a single international portal for volunteers.

The proposed platform would allow volunteers to register, establish their status and systematize their areas of activity. It could also help assess the actual contribution of the global volunteer community, identify areas with the greatest demand and those that remain underdeveloped, and improve coordination of joint initiatives.

The portal could further contribute to developing more effective mechanisms for supporting, motivating and recognizing volunteers.

Kurbanov, in turn, praised the high level of cooperation with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information and the coordinated work carried out within the framework of the International Year of Volunteers.

“Today, a multipolar world of volunteering is taking shape, and Kazakhstan is one of its poles,” Kurbanov said, adding that the historical significance of the initiative may become clearer over time.

He said future generations could view the initiative as having started with President Tokayev’s proposal to the international community to proclaim an International Year of Volunteers.

The two sides expressed readiness to continue joint work on initiatives under the International Year of Volunteers and further promote and support the volunteer movement.

To note, the first CIS Volunteer Forum will be held in Astana on August 20. The forum was initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.