Мr. Chairperson,

Over the past years, the UNECE region has made tangible progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

This progress remains uneven and increasingly vulnerable to a combination of interconnected factors - including economic shocks, climate change, growing inequalities, and, most notably, the erosion of peace and security in the region as the result of the Russian Federation’s armed aggression against Ukraine.

For Ukraine sustainable development is inseparable from peace and security. The ongoing armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine is not only a grave violation of international law, it is a systematic assault on the foundations of sustainable development in the European continent.

War stands in direct contradiction to the 2030 Agenda.

Speaking in this hall about adherence to the SDG 7 Russia at the same time systematically and intentionally destroys Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Continuous large-scale missile and drone attacks on thermal and hydro power plants, substations, and transmission networks have resulted in widespread electricity outages, loss of heating and water supply for millions of civilians, particularly during the winter periods. Hospitals, schools, water supply systems, public transport and industry are forced to operate under constant stress, energy instability and rely on emergency solutions.

This is a direct blow to SDG 7 on affordable and reliable energy, as well as SDG 9 on resilient infrastructure, and SDG 11 on sustainable and safe cities.

Russia’s war has also deepened poverty and inequality, significantly hindering progress towards SDGs 1, 8 and 10. Millions of internally displaced persons in Ukraine require long-term, sustainable solutions.

Equally alarming for Ukraine are the environmental consequences of Russia’s war. Attacks on energy and industrial facilities have caused pollution of air, soil and water, creating long-term risks for implementation of SDGs 13 and 15 and for environmental security across the entire UNECE region.

Despite these challenges, Ukraine remains firmly committed to the 2030 Agenda. We are planning the recovery of our energy sector based on resilience and sustainability with decentralized systems, expanded use of renewable energy, improved energy efficiency, and stronger protection of critical infrastructure.

These plans cannot be implemented without strong international support. Ukraine urgently needs assistance from partners and joint efforts to restore and modernize its energy infrastructure - through financial support, technical expertise, investments and access to advanced technologies.

SDG 16 - peace, justice and strong institutions - is a precondition for achieving all other goals. Therefore, decisive and coordinated action by the international community is essential, including political, diplomatic and economic pressure, to compel Russia to end its armed aggression against Ukraine in violation of the UN Charter, engage in meaningful negotiations, and work towards a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine.

This is not only about Ukraine’s security. It is about trust in the international system and our collective ability to uphold sustainable development as a shared global value.

Thank you.