The UN General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution submitted by the Japanese government aimed at strengthening volunteerism.

Ever since it designated 2001 as the International Year of Volunteers, the UN has adopted a resolution every three years encouraging the international community to support volunteerism.

This year, Japan and other countries submitted to a UN committee the resolution entitled "Strengthening volunteerism for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, leaving no one behind."

It stresses the importance of removing barriers to volunteerism to ensure the participation of young persons, who play a major role in volunteering, as well as older people and those with disabilities.

Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN, Mikanagi Tomohiro, says the new elements included in this year's resolution are "essential to ensuring that volunteerism is inclusive and accessible for all."