The first forum of volunteers of the CIS countries - 2024 "BizBirgamiz!"

Over the 32 years of independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the priority in state policy has been the desire for fruitful interaction and multifaceted cooperation with the international community. Over the past 7 years, under the sensitive leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mirziyoyev Shavkat Miromonovich, this task has also been implemented through the prism of strengthening the civil potential, represented by the volunteers of our country. On October 31, 2023, the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States was held, at which 2024 was declared the year of the Volunteer Movement in the CIS countries. Thanks to the joint efforts and support of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS Member States, in 2024, from May 2 to 4, in Tashkent (Republic of Uzbekistan) within the framework of the first forum of volunteers of the CIS countries "Biz Birgamiz" was held, which was attended by more than 60 participants-delegates from such Republics as: Azerbaijan, Armenia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan. The purpose of this forum was to strengthen social partnership for sustainable development and increase the involvement of volunteer movements of the Commonwealth countries.

The main organizer of the Forum was the Volunteers Association of Uzbekistan together with the Agency for Youth Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the support of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS Member States and the National Agency for Social Assistance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the National Guard of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek and private business structures that are not indifferent to social problems.

Upon arrival, the forum participants went through an orientation session, after which, the next day, the main program of the event began. The participants were met at the red carpet leading from the monument built in honor of the First Youth Capital of the CIS countries to the sounds of the youth orchestra of the National Guard of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The opening ceremony was moderated by the First Deputy Director Kattakhanov Dilnoza Sobirzhanovna and the head of the Association of Volunteers of Uzbekistan, Abidova Shirin Rakhimzhanovna. Among those delivering welcoming speeches were all the heads of delegations of the participating countries. Throughout the first day, guests and participants of the Forum had the opportunity to get acquainted with the best practices of volunteers in Uzbekistan after the ribbon cutting ceremony.

This forum is organized in the style of an oriental teahouse, where in an informal setting, participating countries will have the opportunity to personally get acquainted with the best practices of volunteer movements in Uzbekistan, as well as discuss such areas as: "Eco Activity", "Emergency Volunteers", "Volunteer Doctors", "Subtleties of Working with Volunteers at Mass Events" and other relevant areas of the world of volunteering.

An important distinguishing feature of this year was the participation of experts in the field of inclusion and barrier-free environment. The National Agency for Social Assistance of the Republic of Uzbekistan will organize a discussion platform with the participation of:
• Mr. Eyvazov Elnur Agakerim oglu, Professor of Corporate Governance, International Commercial Law and Business Ethics, Director of the Diversity and Equal Opportunities Department of ADA University, Baku, Azerbaijan;
• Mr. Abdukhalilov Abdulla Abdukhamidovich, Professor of the Department of Social Work of the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, expert of the Association of Disabled People of Uzbekistan and the Association of Volunteers of Uzbekistan.