Thailand Celebrates International Volunteer Day 2025 and Launches the International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development 2026 (IVY 2026)

Bangkok, 29 November 2025 – The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Thailand (UNRCO), the United Nations Volunteers Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (UNV Asia-Pacific), the United Nations Development Programme in Thailand (UNDP Thailand), the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), and the Together Foundation for People with Disabilities and Society, jointly celebrated International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2025 at Queen Sirikit Park, Bangkok.

Held under the global theme “Every Contribution Matters”, the event marked Thailand’s national kick-off of the International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development 2026 (IVY 2026). The celebration showcased Thailand’s vibrant volunteer spirit and its commitment to promoting inclusion, community engagement, and sustainable development.

Key activities included the “Run Together for Inclusion” inclusive run, which created a space where persons with disabilities, volunteers, youth networks, and members of the public could run together on an equal footing—reflecting that volunteerism is a platform accessible to all and one in which everyone can participate with pride. 

The event also featured “A Ripple of Kindness”, a giving and sharing initiative through which essential relief items were collected to support the assistance and recovery of flood-affected communities in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. Volunteers from all sectors jointly sorted and delivered the donated items to the Prince of Songkla University Volunteer Center, with strong support from volunteers, event participants, and private-sector networks—particularly the Saha Group—in line with the organization’s cooperate volunteer concept.

Government and UN leaders commend Thailand’s national culture of volunteerism

Senior representatives joining the event included:

• Ms. Sunee Srisongtakarunlert, Deputy Permanent Secretary, MSDHS
• Mr. Chetthaphan Maksamphan, Deputy Permanent Secretary, MFA
• Ms. Niamh Collier-Smith, UN Resident Coordinator ad interim and UNDP Resident Representative in Thailand
• Mr. Christian Hainzl, Regional Manager, UNV Asia–Pacific

In his address, Mr. Chetthaphan emphasized that IVD is marked annually on 5 December to honour volunteers worldwide and to raise awareness of their contributions to national development. He highlighted that Thailand has more than 18 million formal and informal volunteers (as of 30 September 2025) playing a vital role in community services, social assistance, and local development.

UN Resident Coordinator ad interim highlights Thailand as a model of civic engagement

Ms. Niamh Collier-Smith underscored volunteerism as “one of the most powerful forces driving sustainable development”, noting that volunteers “strengthen communities, protect the environment, and ensure that no one is left behind.”

She commended Thailand’s long-standing tradition of civic engagement, describing the country’s 18 million volunteers as “an extraordinary demonstration of community leadership and national solidarity.” She also highlighted the importance of inclusive volunteering, noting that “activities like today’s Run Together for Inclusion show how Thai volunteer networks embrace diversity, especially by ensuring persons with disabilities are part of the movement.”

Ms. Collier-Smith reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to support Thailand’s leadership in the upcoming International Volunteer Year:

“Thailand’s launch today reflects strong national leadership and positions the country as a regional and global example. The UN stands firmly as a partner as Thailand moves from today’s celebration into the global observance of 2026.”

She added that the theme “Every Contribution Matters” captures the essence of IVY 2026 because “every act of volunteering, big or small, helps build a greener, more inclusive society.”

UNV underscores global trends and Thailand’s leadership in IVY 2026

In his remarks, Mr. Christian Hainzl, Regional Manager of UNV Asia–Pacific, highlighted the significance of IVD 2025 as the year’s official launch of IVY 2026, as proclaimed by the UN General Assembly through resolution A/RES/78/127.

He emphasized that IVY 2026 aims to be “truly inclusive—to ensure that everyone’s contribution is seen, valued, and recognized.” He praised Thailand for “its inspiring leadership as the first country in Asia to appoint a national IVY focal point and a national committee.”

Mr. Hainzl highlighted significant global and regional trends in volunteerism, noting that 2.1 billion people—over a quarter of the world’s population—volunteer regularly each month, and that UNV will soon launch the Global Index of Volunteer Engagement as part of the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report to be unveiled on the International Volunteer Day, 5 December 2025 in New York.

He concluded with a call to action:

“Let us use IVY 2026 as a year of celebration, inspiration and solidarity—but also a year of action. Let us build systems for volunteering that are inclusive, support volunteers, and allow every person—regardless of age, gender, ability or background—to contribute meaningfully to society.”

Thailand prepares for Thailand Volunteer Year 2026

Deputy Permanent Secretary Ms. Sunee outlined national priorities for Thailand’s upcoming Thailand Volunteer Year 2026, which will align with the global IVY agenda. Key priorities include:

1. Strengthening policy and legal frameworks for volunteerism
2. Enhancing volunteer management systems toward international standards
3. Expanding awareness, capacity-building and motivation among volunteer networks

These initiatives will be complemented by efforts such as a National Volunteer Web Portal, regional volunteer coordination mechanisms, and continued collaboration with state media.

A strong start to a year of global volunteer action

The celebration marks Thailand’s early leadership in IVY 2026—positioning the country as a regional champion of inclusive, community-driven development. The UN system in Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Government, civil society, volunteer networks, youth groups, and persons with disabilities to ensure that volunteerism continues to drive resilience, equality and sustainable progress.