UN Launches International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026)
The United Nations, together with the Government of Kenya and more than 20 national and international partners, has officially launched the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026).
The global launch marks a major milestone in recognizing volunteerism as a key force behind sustainable development.
The high-level ceremony took place on Friday, 5 December 2025, at the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON).
Kenya is a co-facilitator and signatory of UN General Assembly Resolution 78/127, which declared 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development.
Positioning Volunteerism at the Center of Development
The declaration of IVY 2026 highlights the essential role that volunteers play in advancing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
By anchoring the global launch during UNEA-7, Kenya offered a powerful platform linking volunteerism with environmental protection, peacebuilding, and humanitarian action.
The launch brought together government leaders, diplomatic missions, UN agencies, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector. The participation underscored volunteerism as a strategic enabler of sustainable development.
During the event, organizers outlined three core objectives for IVY 2026:
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Officially launch the Year during UNEA-7.
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Mobilize stakeholders across government, UN agencies, civil society, academia, and the private sector.
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Position volunteerism as central to sustainable development and environmental solutions.
The day also saw the unveiling of the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report 2026, setting the tone for a global year focused on celebrating and expanding volunteer contributions.
Kenya’s Leadership in Advancing Volunteerism
As a co-facilitator of the UN resolution, Kenya has emerged as a regional model in elevating volunteerism. The national theme, “Volunteering for People and the Planet: Every Contribution Matters,” reinforced the idea that individual actions play a critical role in shaping sustainable futures.
Member States were encouraged to make concrete commitments, including integrating volunteerism into national development strategies and establishing national committees to drive IVY 2026 campaigns.
The launch featured two major components: a high-level morning session at UNON with keynote remarks, symbolic unveilings, Blue Room Talks, and Wall of Action pledges, followed by an afternoon volunteer activity at Karura Forest Reserve.
Building Momentum Toward and Beyond 2026
The event is expected to spark strong national and regional momentum for volunteer-driven initiatives. It also aims to strengthen partnerships, expand volunteer networks, and inspire countries to embed volunteer action in development planning.
With IVY 2026 now officially launched, Kenya and its partners have set an ambitious pace for a year that places people-powered action at the heart of sustainable development globally.
