Welcoming remarks By UNDP Resident Representative In Ukraine, Dafina Gercheva, at The UN Environmental Forum, June 15, 2021.
Dear ladies and gentlemen, dear guests and friends,
On behalf of the United Nations, I am pleased to welcome you today to the UN Environmental Forum 2021.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine, Osnat Lubrani, unfortunately could not join us today, but she sends her warmest greetings to all of you.
This UN Environmental Forum is an excellent opportunity to continue the discussion that took place last week during the "Ukraine 30. Ecology" Forum, opened by President Zelenskyy. One of the clear conclusions of the event is that environmental protection is the responsibility of everyone, and this must be taken into account in all areas and at all levels. Therefore, it is a special honor for the UN to gather such a wide range of stakeholders today, including representatives of the Government, civil society, as well as business, youth, the world of art and fashion, and the media.
Just ten days ago, on World Environment Day, in view of the triple environmental threat — biodiversity loss, climate destabilization, and increasing pollution — the United Nations announced the official launch of the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, an unprecedented effort to heal the Earth and remind us of the vital importance of healthy ecosystems and the urgent need to restore, protect, and sustain them for future generations.
Presenting the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration initiative, UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that our planet is rapidly approaching a "point of no return" due to deforestation, pollution of rivers and oceans, and the destruction of grasslands that are disappearing forever.
Natural ecosystems are crucial for our health, well-being, and survival. Natural ecosystems purify the air we breathe and provide us with nutritious food and clean water. They absorb carbon from the atmosphere, mitigating and protecting us from the effects of climate change.
Although the UN Environment Programme is the leading environmental agency in the United Nations system, all agencies, funds, and programs are obliged to cooperate and combine efforts when it comes to protecting the Earth and preserving its natural ecosystems. We must do this in a coordinated manner, based on our unique experience and competencies. That is why I am inspired that such a large number of permanent missions and non-resident UN agencies and our bilateral partners, government partners, and other parties have joined today's event.
I would like to express special thanks and respect to our donor partners, without whom none of the work we are discussing today would be possible.
Since the primary responsibility for environmental protection lies with the governments and their national programs of the 194 member states of the United Nations, I am pleased that representatives of the Government of Ukraine, representing various structures related to environmental issues, have joined us today.
While the United Nations shares international expertise using a multilateral approach, our bilateral partners bring additional knowledge, resources, and support, and the Government develops and implements strategies and rules that strengthen environmental protection measures. Another important partner is civil society. Non-governmental organizations very often act as our allies on the ground, creating a network and ensuring broad public approval and support. Without them, nothing we are discussing today would be possible.
I would also like to acknowledge the special role of media representatives who are with us today and thank them for their support.
Dear colleagues,
Today, six parallel panel discussions will take place, each focusing on one of the key environmental issues for Ukraine. Speakers were asked to present the main challenges, but to focus on good practices — as well as practical solutions and possible sources of provision and funding for these solutions. If you have questions, you will be able to ask them to the speakers at the end of each panel discussion — so take notes of questions as they arise and voice them at the end.
The first session is dedicated to a wide range of current waste management issues in Ukraine, including food and plastic waste. Experts on this panel will highlight the biggest challenges, assess current efforts to overcome them, and present some practical solutions.
During the second session, we will talk about youth participation and climate activism, and during the third — about how sustainable trends in industry and the daily lives of every person can contribute to positive environmental changes.
Panel discussion number four will consider how to restore nature and reduce our carbon footprint, which is in line with the spirit of the recently announced UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The last, fifth panel will be dedicated to disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change. As you know, there are no "natural" disasters. There are only emergencies that become disasters if we are not prepared for them.
Dear participants,
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 13 – an ambitious goal to overcome the effects of climate change – will require broad engagement from all of society and all of government. UNDP and the entire UN system are determined to further implement this agenda and support Ukraine's efforts to build a better future and successfully recover from the COVID pandemic based on the principles of sustainability and justice, which will contribute to overall progress, leaving no one behind.
We look forward to continuing our cooperation on this extremely important and exciting journey.
Thank you.