Speech of DSRSG/RC/HC at the International Volunteers Day

H.E. Mr. Ahmed Al-Mubarqaa, Minister of Youth and Sport,

H.E. Dr. Mahir Johan, Deputy Minister of Planning,

H.E. Dr. Fadhil Al-Raheem, Head of International Organizations and Conferences Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

H.E. Dr. Yaseen Abbas, Head of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society,

H.E. Ms. Kyoko Yokosuka, Deputy Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to thank you all for your presence with us today to mark the International Volunteers Day. My flight landed in Baghdad only few hours ago, but I could not miss the opportunity of being with you on this day, to express respect and appreciation to the millions of volunteers across the world.

This day means a lot to me, not only because I had worked with this magnificent organization, called (the United Nations Volunteers Programme) where I meet thousands of them across the globe, engaged in humanitarian operations activities, charity work, or simply by practicing their citizenship through participating in meetings and other societal activities; but also because I came from a background and family in which volunteerism was deep-rooted since early age. I would like also, in this context, to pay tribute to my wife, who accompanied me throughout the past 25 years of my professional career, as she was only doing volunteering work then at every duty station we worked at; actually, she was with me here in Iraq in 1997, acting as volunteer at a center for children with disabilities, one of whom, named Ahmed, is currently a champion at the Paralympics.

Please allow me to continue my remarks in English.

International Volunteer Day, globally observed on December 5th, serves as a powerful platform to promote and acknowledge volunteer efforts, encourage public participation, and raise awareness about the profound impact of volunteer activities on social, economic, and environmental development.

This year's theme, "If everyone did...," emphasizes collective action, person-to-person interaction, working together, sharing, and giving – values that resonate deeply with the principles of volunteerism.

We are very proud of our 123 UN Volunteers, both National and International, currently deployed in Iraq, 48 per cent of whom are females.

They are supporting UN activities in across various governorates in Iraq providing expertise and support in Human Rights, Climate Change and Environment, Health, Community Engagement, Communication, and Operational Support.   

As we gather here, it is essential to recognize the tremendous growth Iraq has experienced, with its population now estimated at 43 million, making it one of the world's fastest-growing populations.

This demographic surge presents significant opportunities, particularly in harnessing the talents of our youth for sustainable development.

Nevertheless, as you well know, the job market in Iraq is not responding actively to the demand, especially for college graduates and other young people eager to start their own households and support their families.

Against this backdrop, in Iraq, volunteer opportunities become a critical pathway for young people to learn new skills and apply what they have learned in school.

In Iraq, we are proud to celebrate International Volunteer Day jointly with the Iraqi Government to underscore our commitment to mainstreaming volunteerism and civic engagement into National Development plans and, by extension, into the programs of the UN Country team.

Following the National Youth Dialogue Conference held in August 2023, the Iraqi Government has adopted significant decisions emphasizing the encouragement of volunteerism through appointments, contracts, and educational opportunities.

This momentum presents a unique opportunity for us to explore how UN Volunteers can support the UN Country Team and the Government in fulfilling this commitment to building a more prosperous and inclusive future for Iraq's young population.

On International Volunteer Day, we join hands to recognize the spirit of volunteerism, and the invaluable contributions of volunteers in shaping positive change in our communities and societies.

Let us embrace the spirit of volunteerism and the power of "If everyone did...".

Together, we can overcome the challenges that hinder progress on the 2030 Agenda. Let us stand united, work hand in hand, and build a future that is prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable for all.

Thank you, and I wish you all a productive event.