On Monday, 22 September, New York, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha took part in the High-Level Dialogue between the Ministerial Council of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and observers within the framework of the High-Level Segment of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.

The event was attended by ministers and high-ranking representatives of a number of Latin American and Caribbean states, including Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Suriname, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Cuba, Chile, Brazil, Spain, Turkey, and the UAE.

The Minister expressed gratitude to the Panamanian chairmanship of the ACS and presented Ukraine's vision as an observer country, informed foreign colleagues about the intensification of international efforts within the framework of the UN High-Level Segment, and once again emphasized Ukraine's readiness for an immediate ceasefire and a meeting of leaders to end Russian aggression.

“Ukraine is not an obstacle to peace. This war continues only because Russia refuses to stop it. And here we need your support to accelerate peace efforts. Your voices matter. We need your solidarity. It's about principles”, the Minister noted.

The Foreign Minister stated that the war has global consequences that affect every region of the world, including the Caribbean.

“This war is an attack on international law, the principles and norms of the UN Charter, and our common values”, he stressed.

Andrii Sybiha stated Ukraine's readiness to share with Caribbean countries the unique experience of resilience gained during the war, particularly in the defense and technology sectors.

The Minister emphasized that Ukraine possesses unique unmanned technologies, including marine and underwater drones, which can be used for both defense and civilian purposes, including in agriculture, patrolling and other areas.

The Foreign Minister announced Ukraine's readiness to discuss the possibility of joint research work with Caribbean countries in the fight against climate change. Ukraine shares the urgency of overcoming the climate crisis and has unique capabilities in Antarctic research. This includes the Akademik Vernadsky research station and the «Noosfera» icebreaker.

Andrii Sybiha expressed his gratitude to the Caribbean countries that uphold the norms of international law at the UN General Assembly and other international forums.

The Minister also spoke about Ukraine's desire to expand cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean, in particular, to establish new diplomatic missions in the Dominican Republic, Panama, Uruguay and Ecuador. The Foreign Minister took the initiative to hold the first Ukraine-Caribbean summit to develop cooperation. He also assured Ukraine of its interest in participating in further events of the ACS at all levels.