Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to be here today to celebrate the International Volunteer Day in recognition of the valuable contribution of volunteering towards achieving development goals in Vietnam.

At UNDP, we have seen from our work around the world that when citizens are engaged as volunteers to share their experience and expertise and help communities overcome their challenges, development efforts have greater impact. Volunteerism can help turn national strategies and development policies into meaningful and sustained change in communities and in the lives of people.

Hanoi, Hoa Binh Park, 6th December 2014