A meeting of the Barrier-Free Environment Council chaired by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal brought together First Lady Olena Zelenska, representatives of the Government, heads of specialised committees of the Verkhovna Rada, officials of the UN system, the Council of Europe, WHO, USAID and other international organisations in Ukraine, distinguished ambassadors of the USA, the UK, Canada, Italy, Norway, as well as representatives of the EU and Japanese embassies, heads of regional military administrations, representatives of territorial communities and civil society.

During the meeting, the participants focused on practices for implementing barrier-free access at the local community level. It is crucial that cities, villages and towns are involved in the state policy of accessibility, understand its essence and objectives, take responsibility and participate in its implementation.

"The introduction of barrier-free standards at the level of territorial communities and ensuring the accessibility of urban spaces is a crucial task for all levels of government. We emphasise that the development of all strategic planning documents at the local level should focus on the implementation and development of barrier-free solutions. This is already reflected in the State Regional Development Strategy for 2021-2027. We have also resumed control at construction sites to ensure that customers, designers and contractors comply with state building codes in terms of meeting the requirements for inclusiveness of buildings and structures," said Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine, Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.

Also during the Council meeting, Oleksandr Kubrakov presented the priorities for creating barrier-free space in territorial communities to get outside and move around the city: to be treated in hospitals, to receive social benefits, to be safe, be employed; receive educational and social services, move to another settlement, and evacuate if necessary;

have active leisure time, go in for sports, visit cultural institutions.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, further development of barrier-free transport hubs is planned for 2024. In particular, work will continue with the Kyiv Central Railway Station and Boryspil Airport to make it accessible to everyone after its opening. The railway station already has facilities for people with limited mobility. This summer, as part of the Barrier-Free Railway programme, Ukrzaliznytsia also launched passenger cars adapted to the needs of people with reduced mobility.

The Barrier-Free initiative was launched by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska. In 2021, the Government approved the National Strategy for Barrier-Free Environment until 2030. This year, the Government approved the Action Plan for 2023-2024 to implement the Barrier-Free Strategy.

A temporary advisory body, the Barrier-Free Environment Council, was established under the Cabinet of Ministers to create a barrier-free infrastructure. Its activities are defined in the Regulation on the Barrier-Free Environment Council. The Council is chaired by the Prime Minister of Ukraine and involves a number of stakeholders: Office of the President of Ukraine (First Lady of Ukraine, Advisor to the Presidential Commissioner for Barrier-Free Environment), 15 ministries and central executive bodies, 24 RMAs (regional military administrations), KMMA (Kyiv Municipal Military Administration), territorial communities, as well as international and Ukrainian expert organisations, representatives of business communities and civil society organisations.