Kazakh volunteers took the UN stage. An exhibition in New York showed how volunteer projects across Asia — from planting saxaul on the dried seabed of the Aral Sea to landmine clearance — contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, DKNews.kz reports.
The exhibition at UN Headquarters was organized by the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the UN, the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), and Azerbaijan, the current CICA Chair, in cooperation with the United Nations Volunteers programme.
Kazakhstan Showcased Taza Kazakhstan and Aral Sea Projects
Kazakhstan’s part of the exhibition focused on environmental volunteering.
The photographs featured projects of the Taza Kazakhstan environmental initiative, as well as saxaul planting on the dried seabed of the Aral Sea.
The environmental theme provided one of the clearest examples of how volunteer work can support sustainable development goals, from climate action to environmental restoration.
Opening the exhibition, Kairat Umarov, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN, highlighted the contribution of volunteers to the Sustainable Development Goals, including climate action and support for vulnerable communities.
From Landmine Clearance in Cambodia to Flood Relief
The exhibition extended far beyond Kazakhstan’s environmental projects.
Cambodia presented images of landmine clearance efforts. Photographs from Bangladesh and Russia showed assistance to people affected by floods and animal protection initiatives.
Azerbaijan showcased projects focused on restoring historical and cultural heritage, along with volunteer initiatives linked to the COP29 climate conference in Baku.
China, Kyrgyzstan, India, and Uzbekistan presented environmental and social projects, while Israel, Thailand, and Türkiye contributed inclusive initiatives promoting equality, friendship, and care for children.
The exhibition therefore brought together very different forms of volunteering in one space — environmental work, disaster response, cultural heritage protection, climate initiatives, and social support.
Volunteering Is Becoming Part of Asia’s Confidence-Building Agenda
CICA Secretary General Kairat Sarybay linked the development of volunteering with strengthening the organization’s human dimension and deepening trust across the Asian continent.
Indira Hajiyeva, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, highlighted the growing potential of civic engagement among a new generation.
For CICA, this agenda is moving beyond individual national campaigns. Volunteer projects are increasingly being presented as a way to strengthen cooperation between societies through practical action.
2026 Dedicated to International Volunteering
The exhibition was organized as part of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development 2026.
The year was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly at the initiative of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Kazakhstan’s initiative is now receiving a practical continuation at the UN, where CICA member states are showcasing implemented volunteer projects rather than abstract concepts.
For Kazakhstan, those examples include Taza Kazakhstan and saxaul planting on the Aral Sea seabed.
Photo Exhibition to Continue at UN Headquarters
The exhibition will remain on display at UN Headquarters, introducing international audiences to volunteer practices from CICA member states.
Projects with very different objectives are presented side by side — from helping people affected by natural disasters to restoring cultural heritage and carrying out environmental work.
Kazakhstan is represented by two distinctive environmental themes: Taza Kazakhstan and saxaul planting on the Aral Sea seabed.
