UN Resident Coordinator's Remarks on INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY

Your Excellency President Jose Ramos-Horta,

Your Excelelncy Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak,

President of Ermera Municipal, Jose Eusio,

Excellency Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, Mr Abrao Saldanha,

Excellency Secretary of State for Employment Policy and Vocational Training Mr Alarico de Rosario,

Ambassadors,

Members of the Civil Society,

National and International Partners,

Members of the Media,

Members of the UN Family,

All Protocols Observed,

Bomdia, ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to join you all today to celebrate International International Volunteer Day.

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to all volunteers worldwide, especially all Timor-Leste volunteers who are celebrating the Day.

Happy International Volunteer Day to all of you.

Dear friends,

On this special occasion, we are celebrating our hardworking, passionate and devoted volunteers who work day and night to make positive and lasting changes to people's lives. Thank you for always being the first responders in crises, natural disasters and especially the Covid-19 pandemic in Timor-Leste.

Thank you for contributing your time and skills to building a more equal and inclusive world and Leaving No One Behind.

The International Volunteers Day is celebrated every 5th of December as an opportunity to promote volunteerism, encourage the Government to support volunteers' efforts and recognise volunteers' contributions to the achievement of the SDGs at local, national and international levels.

This year's theme is "Solidarity Through Volunteering". It calls for the power of our collective community and humanity to drive positive changes through volunteerism. This year, Timor-Leste would like to take the opportunity to recognise some of our volunteers' contributions who dedicated their time and efforts to contribute to gender equality, health, media and communications, youth empowerment, and climate action.

On behalf of the UN Country Team, I assure you that UN TimorLeste stands with you strength to strength. Let's #TogetherActNow. UN TimorLeste is proud and highly appreciative that Timor-Leste's volunteers have become a vital force in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

Once again, happy International Volunteer Day to all of you and all of us.

I thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

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Background

International Volunteer Day mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985, is held each year on the 5th of December. The Day is an opportunity to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognise volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels. It is a unique chance for volunteers and organisations to celebrate their efforts, share their values, and promote their work amongst their communities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and United Nations agencies, government authorities, and the private sector.

UNV is mandated to support and promote IVD celebrations worldwide. Each year, the UNV Field Unit in Timor Leste, in partnership with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including International Volunteer Sending Agencies and United Nations agencies, government authorities, and the private sector, mobilise, advocate, and organise the IVD celebrations.

The theme for IVD 2022 is ‘solidarity through volunteering’.