Виступ делегації України на засіданні ГА ООН високого рівня стосовно середньострокового огляду Сендайськоі рамкової програми із зменшення ризику лих 2015-2030

Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine at the UNGA High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (31 May 2023)

Mr. Chairman,

Let me thank the President of the UN General Assembly for convening this important event.

As it is rightly pointed out in its Concept note, the world’s risk landscape is evolving at an unprecedented speed and scale. The systemic nature of risk and the shocks demand a re-examination of approaches to managing and reducing risk, whether man-made, natural, environmental, or technological.

While some progress has been made in implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction since its adoption in 2015, we face significant obstacles in achieving its outcome and goal by 2030. Failure to implement the Framework renders impossible the attainment of the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other intergovernmental agreements and conventions.

In the conditions of the Russian aggression, Ukraine continues making efforts to implement tasks related to Sendai Framework. Reducing the risks of man-made and natural emergencies remains one of the priorities of state policy in Ukraine.

In particular, the Unified State System of Civil Protection has been created in my country, the main task of which is to coordinate the activities of national authorities regarding the measures to protect the population and territories from emergency situations.

Every year, the Government of Ukraine approves a civil protection plan, which contains specific tasks for central and local authorities. In all regions of Ukraine, regional programs containing measures to prevent, eliminate and reduce the risks of emergency situations have been approved.

Ukraine actively cooperates with its international partners in matters of emergency risk management, in particular with the European Union within the framework of the implementation of the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement.

The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the ongoing active hostilities on our territory continue to cause significant damage to Ukrainian population, cities, critical infrastructure. The environmental damage inflicted by the aggression has reached a colossal scale in Ukraine and beyond, leading to significant pollution of surface waters, soils, atmospheric air, pollution of the water areas of the Black and Azov seas. Vast territories of Ukraine are contaminated with mines and explosive remnants of war.

As part of raising awareness of disaster risks in Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine implements a number of various security projects aimed at preserving the lives of the civilian population and creating a safe environment that will reduce the catastrophic consequences of a full-scale war for the population.

In conclusion, let me reiterate Ukraine’s full support of international, regional and national efforts aimed at disaster risk reduction through the implementation of the respective economic, structural, legal, social, environmental, technological, political and institutional measures. Ukraine is willing to cooperate with other states and stakeholders in this important area.

Thank you.