On the eve of the first CIS Volunteer Forum, the 4th meeting of the National Organizing Committee for the International Volunteers Year for Sustainable Development (IVY-2026), declared by the UN at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, was held in Astana.

The meeting was attended by Yevgeny Kochetov, Deputy Chairman of the National Organizing Committee and Vice Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Toily Kurbanov, Executive Coordinator of the UN Volunteers Program; and representatives of the Civil Society Committee of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the National Volunteer Network.

The meeting summarized the interim results of the implementation of the National Plan and international initiatives within the framework of IVY-2026. Participants reviewed the results of previous events and prospects for expanding cooperation in the field of volunteerism.

Particular attention was paid to Kazakhstan's interaction with the UN Volunteers Program. It was noted that national coordinators for IVY-2026 have been appointed in 60 countries to date.

The meeting also considered the draft Concept for the Development of the Volunteer Movement until 2030. The document aims to create a long-term system for supporting and developing volunteerism, improve mechanisms for interaction between the government and the volunteer community, and further strengthen the institutional foundation of the volunteer movement.

Participants also discussed the role of the National Volunteer Front Office in developing volunteerism in Kazakhstan. Issues related to the coordination of volunteer initiatives, methodological support for organizations, and the creation of conditions for further citizen engagement in volunteerism were addressed.

Following the meeting, future priorities for the National Organizing Committee were identified.