Ukraine joins the OECD Environmental Policy Committee

Ukraine has acquired the status of a participant in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Environmental Policy Committee and its subsidiary bodies. This strengthens Ukraine’s role in shaping global environmental policy, particularly on the restoration of the environment, which has suffered significant damage as a result of russia’s armed aggression.

Participation in the Committee opens opportunities for Ukraine to implement modern approaches to state environmental policy using OECD tools in the field of “green” recovery, environmental control and financing. It will also contribute to strengthening institutional capacity, harmonising legislation with international standards, and attracting investment into sustainable development.

Ukraine already has experience of cooperating with the OECD in the environmental sphere, having previously participated in Committee meetings as an invited party. This helped bring Ukraine’s national environmental policy closer to the Organisation’s standards.

Background

The OECD Environmental Policy Committee is a key international platform for the development and coordination of environmental policy. It brings together OECD member countries and partners to develop effective solutions in the field of environmental protection, achieving climate neutrality (including net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050), halting biodiversity loss by 2030, and combating pollution.

The decision was adopted by the OECD Council on 22 November 2025 in response to Ukraine’s official request to join the Committee, which was submitted on 4 December 2024. By letter dated 24 April 2026, the Government of Ukraine accepted this invitation. Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 362-r of 22 April 2026 approved the draft Agreement between Ukraine and the OECD on accession to the said Committee.