KYIV, 28 October 2024 – The Ukrainian Parliament’s Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management has endorsed key recommendations for restoring Ukraine’s biodiversity and developing the country’s protected natural reserves.

The recommendations were drafted following committee hearings supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine under the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility – a multilateral environmental protection fund.

The hearings gathered over 250 participants, including representatives from parliament, government agencies, international organizations, academia, and NGOs. The discussions centred on Ukraine’s most urgent conservation needs, the establishment of new nature reserves, the war's impact on protected areas, and approaches for restoring biodiversity.

In her opening remarks, Svitlana Grynchuk, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, emphasized that environmental security is fundamental to Ukraine's sustainable future.

“Environmental protection is critical, as highlighted by Point 8 of Ukraine's Peace Formula, which focuses on the preservation of nature,” Grynchuk said. “These hearings offer an essential platform for discussing practical steps toward implementing this goal. The international community closely monitors the protection of Ukraine's natural heritage, as environmental damage here has global repercussions. We’re grateful to our international partners, including UNDP and the Global Environment Facility, for supporting our green recovery.”

Yulia Ovchynnykova, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Subcommittee on Forest Resources, Biodiversity, Natural Landscapes, Protected Areas, and Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to EU Law, underscored the importance of aligning Ukraine's environmental legislation with EU directives.

“In June 2024, the Council of the European Union approved the Nature Restoration Law, a forward-looking plan to restore Europe’s ecosystems by 2050,” Ovchynnykova said. “As Ukraine progresses toward EU membership, aligning our national policies with this framework is essential. These hearings bring together all relevant stakeholders to craft a concrete action plan.”

Roman Shakhmatenko, Team Leader of UNDP in Ukraine’s Energy and Environment Portfolio, said he was grateful to the country’s environmentalists for their dedication to nature conservation, despite the ongoing war, and reaffirmed UNDP's ongoing support.

“Green recovery starts today and stands as a testament to Ukraine’s resilience,” Shakhmatenko said. “Transparent, open dialogue is essential to maximize the impact of international support for reforms and sustainable development.”

Media enquiries

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org