The Executive Coordinator of United Nations Volunteers, Toily Kurbanov marked International Volunteer Day 2024 in Thimphu, Bhutan. Please read his statement as follows.
Hello [ku-zu zang po la].
My name is Toily Kurbanov [Ni gi min Toily Kurbanov in].
I am the head of UN Volunteers. [UN Volunteers gi gupen in la ]
Honorable Prime Minister, Honorable Speaker, Honorable Cabinet Ministers, Honorable Leader of Opposition, Dashos, UN Resident Coordinator, UN Representatives, and most importantly, Desuups and Volunteers—thank you for being here.
Standing here in front of you, I see more than just mountains; I see the people who move them.
Those who make the impossible possible through their courage, compassion, and purpose.
People who make the impossible possible with courage, compassion, and purpose.
Today, we celebrate you—the volunteers.
Bhutan’s strength lies not in its altitude, but in its attitude—the spirit of tha damtshig [ta dam-ze]—that selfless commitment and connection to community—that is what makes Bhutanese volunteers truly special.
Bhutan’s De-suung [desum] program is a story of vision brought to life. Inspired by His Majesty’s foresight.
It is more than just a program. It is a movement that bridges generations and ignites a spirit of service. It shows that a nation’s strength is built through unity and shared purpose.
At the heart of this movement are the De-suups—guardians of peace.
They answer the call every day, especially in times of crisis.
Whether confronting natural disasters, supporting social services, or engaging in charitable causes, De-suups safeguard Bhutan’s most precious treasures: its people, its land, and its values.
Bhutan has built a model for the world. You have shown that even the smallest nations can inspire the grandest solutions. By shaping its own future Bhutan shows that volunteers are, and always will be, at the heart of progress.
UN Volunteers are part of this solution, with a growing role also here in Bhutan. Currently, 17 UN Volunteers are in the process of joining five UN agencies, including 15 National Volunteers, four of whom are persons with disabilities. They will support inclusion, climate action, digital communication, and social change.
This year, there are more UN Volunteers than ever before globally. This reflects the world’s growing need for the spirit, skills, and power of volunteers. From conflict zones to climate disasters, UN Volunteers rise to meet challenges with courage, dedication, and selflessness. They prove that the world depends on these dedicated individuals now more than ever.
To show volunteers’ vital role in achieving the 2030 Agenda, the United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. This milestone is a chance to celebrate volunteers and magnify their contributions on a global stage. This is more than a proclamation—it’s a celebration. A year to honour volunteers who so often work behind the scenes yet deserve to be the center of attention.
And now, as we look ahead to the International Year of Volunteers in 2026, the countdown begins! To mark this milestone, we are thrilled to kick off a global competition to design the official logo for IYV 2026. The one simple mission is: to design a symbol that tells the story of volunteers. A logo that captures their passion and dedication. A logo that will remind us all why volunteers matter not just in the moments of celebration, but in moments of need.
In Bhutan, happiness is not just a feeling; it’s a shared purpose. It’s Gross National Happiness—a vision brought to life by people like you: volunteers, De-suups, leaders, dreamers, and doers.
To every volunteer on this International Volunteer Day and beyond, let’s continue to move mountains together, building a happier, stronger Bhutan, one act of service at a time.
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Please click the YouTube link to watch the UNV Executive Coordinator's IVD 2024 video statement.