Dear Madam Executive-Secretary,
Dear colleagues,
Today, as we address the pressing challenges of climate action and resilient infrastructure, we must recognize that climate change is no longer a distant threat. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, extreme weather events, and sea level rise are already placing severe strain on infrastructure systems worldwide. Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure is essential to safeguard lives, protect livelihoods, and secure the uninterrupted delivery of critical services. UNECE’s instruments and initiatives are vital in supporting member States to integrate resilience and sustainability into infrastructure planning, while contributing to the achievement of global climate goals and national development priorities.
However, Ukraine faces a compounded challenge. The Russian war of aggression has not only devastated our critical infrastructure but also inflicted profound and lasting damage on our environment. Burning oil depots, the shelling of industrial facilities, attacks on water and energy systems, forest fires, explosions, the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, and other acts of targeted aggression have triggered toxic emissions, polluted rivers and soils, and degraded ecosystems. These environmental consequences will persist for generations to come, undermining both our resilience to climate change and the very objectives we are discussing today.
In this context, UNECE has a critical role to play — supporting Ukraine and all member States in recovery efforts that integrate climate action, environmental restoration, and long-term resilience. Ukraine’s reconstruction is not just a necessity — it is an opportunity to serve as a model of climate-resilient and sustainable recovery. We invite all partners — member States, international organizations, and financial institutions — to join us in turning the tragedy of destruction into the foundation for a greener, safer, and more sustainable future.
Yet, we must be clear: sustainable recovery cannot be achieved without a just and lasting peace. On March 11th, Ukraine supported the United States’ proposal for a full 30-day interim ceasefire without any preconditions. The violence and harm to nature could have been halted immediately. Regrettably, Russia refused to accept this proposal and instead escalated its attacks, deliberately targeting peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilians, including children, women, and the elderly.
On 4 April 2025, the Russian Federation committed yet another blatant act of aggression, launching a targeted strike on the town of Kryvyi Rih that claimed the lives of 20 civilians, including 9 children, and injured 74 others — from a three-month-old infant to elderly citizens. These actions constitute a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and further exemplify Russia’s systematic campaign of terror against the Ukrainian people.
Dear colleagues,
Ukraine, together with 35 UNECE member States, has submitted a draft decision for your consideration at this session. This decision builds on the outcome of Decision A(70) adopted at the 70th session and addresses the ongoing economic, social, and environmental consequences of Russia’s aggression.
The impacts of this aggression extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders, affecting the entire UNECE region. Disrupted trade and energy flows, weakened food security, and the destruction of infrastructure have created challenges that will persist for years to come. Ukraine and its neighbours are facing a monumental task of rebuilding, while also addressing humanitarian needs and ensuring sustainable development.
We call upon all UNECE member States to support this decision and demonstrate unity and solidarity in confronting aggression and advancing recovery, resilience, and sustainability for the benefit of all.
I thank you.