Statement of draft resolution A/C.3/67/L.8/Rev.1
“Integrating volunteering in the next decade”

Mr. Chairman,

Brazil and Japan have the honour to present the draft resolution A/C.3/67/L.8/Rev.1, entitled “Integrating volunteering in the next decade” on behalf of the following co-sponsors;

We commend that national and international volunteers in the world have been contributed in areas such as poverty reduction, disaster recovery, humanitarian action and sustainable development.  We also appreciate that many volunteers are helping victims of Hurricane Sandy for the immediate recovery.  The volunteer effort shows that the spirit of volunteerism has steadily been growing all over the world.

The momentum for volunteerism has increased through the observance of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers last year.  Bearing this in mind, we aim to promote the discussion where and how volunteering could be encouraged in the next decade through the draft resolution.  We hope that integrating volunteering will be promoted in all relevant issues for the next decade.

Before taking action on the draft resolution, my delegation would like to make oral amendments.  The papers on the amendments were circulated to all delegations in this room.

OP6 of L.8/Rev.1 should be replaced by the following paragraph. It would read: “Recognizes that an approach to volunteering may consider drawing on the notion of human security in accordance with all the provisions of General Assembly resolution 66/290, of 10 September 2012;”

In OP9, “the elaboration of future sustainable development agenda” at the end of the paragraph should be replaced by “giving appropriate consideration to the issue in the discussions of the post-2015 United Nations development agenda”.

Mr. Chairman,

Japan and Brazil would like to express their deep gratitude to the co-sponsors, as well as to all the delegations that contributed constructively to the negotiations and showed their flexibility. 

This draft resolution could be a massage of support from the international community to all volunteers who contributed to the promotion of peace and development.  We hope that the draft resolution will be adopted by consensus.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.