On World Environment Day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the event "Green Recovery of Ukraine through the Eyes of Children ", jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The event was attended by representatives of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Ukraine. The event was also attended by Andrii Sybiha, Foreign Minister of Ukraine, together with His Beatitude Metropolitan of Kyiv and all Ukraine Epiphaniy, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, who was holding a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time.

Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called on all partners to unite and intensify efforts to protect the environment for the sake of Ukraine’s youngest citizens. A green recovery is essential to securing a sustainable, safe, and healthy future for the country.

More than three years of full-scale war has had significant, multifaceted impacts on the environment and climate in Ukraine, with some of the most vulnerable populations, including children, being particularly at risk.

Increased greenhouse gas emissions, environmental degradation, such as soil and water contamination, war debris and exposure to hazardous materials – all combined to further threaten people’s health, livelihoods and wellbeing, as well as hinders economic development and recovery.

«In all crisis situations, children are among the most vulnerable. The Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine is no exception. The aggressor continues to destroy homes and schools where Ukrainian children live and learn, leaving behind a toxic legacy that future generation of Ukrainians will be forced to confront» - emphasized Sergiy Kyslytsya, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine during the event.

Since the onset of the full-scale armed aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, UNEP has remained a reliable partner in protecting the environment and restoring the country’s unique ecosystems. Its expertise—working in synergy with other UN agencies and international partners—has been instrumental in supporting the Government of Ukraine in addressing the urgent environmental challenges posed by the war.

“Even amidst adversity, a greener and more sustainable future is within reach,” said Matthias Schmale, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine. “We must prioritize a green recovery despite the ongoing war. One in which children and young people play an active role in contributing to and inheriting an environment that is conducive to their health and wellbeing,” - added Matthias Schmale.

One of the key areas of UN assistance in Ukraine is the implementation of projects aimed at ensuring citizens' access to safe drinking water. The situation has been further exacerbated by the aggressor’s ongoing attacks on critical infrastructure, including the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam by the Russian Federation. As a result, water in some sources now exceeds permissible safety standards by 30 to 40 times.

With the support of the UN in Ukraine, specialists are doing everything possible to ensure water supply to affected communities, despite the destruction and damage to infrastructure, as well as power outages.

During the event, heads of foreign missions and representatives of international organizations in Ukraine had the opportunity to view children's drawings on the theme of Ukraine’s green recovery, including the winning entries from the ontest, “The Future of the Planet is in Our Hands!”, held with the support of UNICEF, UNEP, and OSCE.

We call on the international community to further strengthen collective efforts to protect what is most precious—the future of our children.