Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine Svitlana Grynchuk met with UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine Matthias Schmale. They discussed cooperation between the agencies in the field of environmental protection.

This concerns both the immediate response to the consequences of the hostilities and long-term sustainable development projects. Among the most pressing issues are the assessment of environmental damage caused by hostilities, European integration legislation, Ukraine’s low-carbon development, water supply, waste management, including demolition waste, wildlife conservation and environmental education, climate policy, and Ukraine’s participation in COP30. All of these areas receive some form of support from organisations under the auspices of the United Nations. Ukraine is actively cooperating with UNDP, UNICEF, UNIDO, and UNEP.

The key idea behind the cooperation between the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources and the UN is to implement the principles of green recovery in every sector of the economy without waiting for the war to end.

“Matthias Schmale agrees that environmental issues during hostilities are among the most vulnerable and, at the same time, the most difficult for development. However, Ukraine’s recovery is only possible on the basis of green principles. The partners are ready to expand the horizons of cooperation, as the war creates new challenges. For example, we are interested in legal expertise for the negotiation process, the development of environmental education and recreation in nature reserves to support the mental health of Ukrainians. This opens up prospects for both psychological rehabilitation and job creation. The support of partners under the Government’s water supply programme for the frontline regions remains important,” says Svitlana Grynchuk.

It is also important that the UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine underlined Ukraine’s significant potential in the international arena. According to him, the world has to draw conclusions and rethink its interaction with Ukraine.

Svitlana Grynchuk expressed her gratitude for the assistance in preparing for COP29, as climate initiatives were among the priorities of the UN in Ukraine. In particular, UNDP has provided significant assistance in developing a framework climate law and a legal mandate for Ukraine to implement Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

“The support of UN agencies shows that Ukraine has allies on its path to sustainable development and climate neutrality by 2050. We share common values and continue to implement them,” the Minister said.