UNIS/SGSM/1368
4 December 2023
On International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, we salute the more than one billion people worldwide who are contributing their time and skills to creating a better, safer, more caring and peaceful world.
This year’s theme — “If everyone did…” — underscores the importance of collective action, cooperation, and people-led solutions to global challenges like poverty, inequalities, conflict, the climate crisis, food insecurity and more.
In every community on the planet, volunteers are taking action to support the most vulnerable people, including in the midst of conflict and other humanitarian emergencies.
Young volunteers are joining the fight for climate action, pressing governments, businesses and policymakers to take the decisions needed to end this planetary emergency.
Our own UN Volunteers hail from more than 160 countries, and are helping to spur peace and sustainable development, and the realization of human rights, for people around the world.
On this important day, let’s re-commit to ensuring that all people can lend their energies to shaping a better future for all people and the planet we share.
Let’s stand with volunteers, everywhere.
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A new analysis from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released today finds that legal protection of the environment varies widely by country and region in terms of crimes covered and punishments given, and highlights priority areas for consideration to strengthen prevention and curb crimes that affect the environment.
"As we mark this Day for Biological Diversity, let us commit to be Part of the Plan. Let us act urgently to put biodiversity on a path to recovery." — António Guterres
"On World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, we celebrate the power of communication tools to change lives for the better." — António Guterres
"On this International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, I applaud the brave work of LGBTIQ+ human rights defenders fighting to outlaw discrimination and secure equality before the law." — António Guterres