Emerald Network in Ukraine Seminar: Damage, restoration, and conservation of protected areas

Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, Ihor Zubovych, opened the seminar “Emerald Network in Ukraine: From Designation to Effective Management”, organized by the World Bank under the EU4Environment program with financial support from the European Union. 

The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture, the State Forest Resources Agency, the State Agency of Water Resources, the State Fisheries Agency, the State Environmental Inspectorate, the World Bank, the EU Delegation to Ukraine, as well as representatives from protected areas institutions, research institutes, educational establishments, and others. 

Participants and experts discussed the development of national legislation, the establishment of a specialized state agency for biodiversity and protected areas management, expanding cooperation with international partners, and engaging expert support. 

Special attention was given to challenges caused by russian aggression, including widespread damage to protected areas, the need for ecosystem restoration, and environmentally safe demining. 

“The Emerald Network is not only an international tool for nature conservation but also a driver for developing national environmental policy and preparing for European integration. Ukraine has identified 377 Emerald Network sites, and our task is to create effective mechanisms for their protection and management. We are working with international partners and the Verkhovna Rada on legislative changes to pave the way for transforming these sites into Natura 2000. This will be a significant step in preserving biodiversity, restoring ecosystems, and reinforcing our European course,” said Ihor Zubovych. 

The discussions focused on Ukraine’s commitments under the Bern Convention, the current state of the Emerald Network’s implementation, and prospects for its transformation into Natura 2000. 

The Seminar was the first of nine training events planned under the EU4Environment Program sub-component 4.1: Support to protect biodiversity and natural ecosystems (Emerald network)). 

Background Information

The Emerald Network is a collection of territories designated to protect rare plant and animal species, as well as their natural habitats. It was established to fulfill the requirements of the Bern Convention (Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, 1979), which Ukraine ratified in 1996. 

Ukraine has 377 Emerald Network sites, encompassing the country’s most valuable natural areas, which only partially overlap with the territories of the nature reserve fund.