A conference to discuss Point 8 “#EnvironmentalSecurity” of the Ukrainian President’s Peace Formula took place in Helsinki
20 October 2024 18:00
The event was attended by Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo, Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, as well as high-ranking officials from other countries.
russia’s war against Ukraine has caused widespread ecological destruction, resulting in unprecedented pollution, ecosystem disruption and damage to biodiversity not only in Ukraine but around the world.
According to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, the current damage to Ukrainian ecosystems is estimated at USD 65 billion. One third of Ukraine’s forests have been affected by the war. 20% of Ukraine’s protected areas have also been affected. As a result of the war, 35% of Europe’s biodiversity owned by Ukraine is under threat.
Denys Shmyhal noted that Ukraine was ready to develop a common vision and concrete steps in this direction, applying the principle of “the enemy must pay”.
In particular, the Head of Ukrainian Government outlined several key tasks for which a common strategy needed to be developed:
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tracking, recording and reporting on all environmental consequences, impacts, losses and damages of the russian aggressor’s war in Ukraine;
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gathering valuable high-level feedback and technical comments from Ukraine’s partners;
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developing further joint steps to bring the russian aggressor to justice for all environmental crimes committed against Ukraine.
“Environmental security is a prerequisite for economic and social development. Therefore, we need to find solutions and resources to best protect and restore our nature and ecology, which has suffered as a result of the war,” said Denys Shmyhal.
Following the conference, the participating countries agreed on a joint Communiqué.
More details: https://tinyurl.com/yc3wzhsv
