Remarks by Massimo Diana, UNFPA Representative in Ukraine

*As delivered

As we conclude today's significant gathering, and rather than focusing on what we do as an agency, I would like us to go back to the very point that this is about: the survivors. This is about their rights, about their circumstances, about their tragedies. 

What has really moved me today during our conversations was the courage of the people, the survivors, who came forward, highlighting not only the extent of the challenges they are confronted with but also the resilience and strength of these survivors, who are at the core of the issue that we are discussing today.

And I cannot go forward without thanking and honouring the leadership of the Government of Ukraine, who is taking a very serious approach to the matter, and we also witnessed this morning by the panels and the speakers. This demonstrates the commitment to tackling not only conflict-related sexual violence but gender-based violence more broadly. It is also important to demonstrate a proactive approach to coordination, as you are indicating, in order to ensure that we are all working with the rights and needs of the survivors at the centre of anything that we do. Without this coordination, and managing such a vast level of challenges, we will not be able to move the agenda forward.

The stories of survivors are all unique and very personal. There is not one story that captures them all. Each individual has their own very meaningful story for themselves. And we need to make sure that this is also reflected in how we respond. There is no universal remedy. The response must be tailored and respectful to the needs of the survivors. We need to recognize that this approach requires a long-term, very multifaceted and complex type of strategy that honor survivors' individual journeys towards recovery and justice. And I want to underline justice and recovery. It is not only about justice. 

We need to remember that their narratives are rich with pain, but also they sketch the path forward for us. 

In addressing conflict-related sexual violence, we benefit from the collaboration across the UN agencies. As you heard earlier this morning from Pramila Patten [United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict] and also the UN Resident Coordinator Denise Brown, we have a number of UN agencies working together. At the UN, we bring, as a common team, a diversity of capacity and expertise. And we want to put this expertise at the service of the survivors. This also enhances and enables us to provide a nuanced approach because different agencies can tackle the different dimensions and needs of the survivors. The survivors, however, must remain at the very centre of what we do. 

The road ahead is very long. The first time we were involved in this unfortunate subject matter was over 30 years ago in the former Yugoslavia, when the concept of rape was defined as a method of warfare in violation of human rights. 

There will be many obstacles, there will be many challenges, and many pitfalls and even some mistakes that we make along the way. But by working together, we can, over the next few years, with a committed approach, ensure that we maintain this collective resolve for a future where dignity and rights are respected for all. 

I also want to take this opportunity to talk to our donors, as at the end of the day all these efforts come at a cost. And it cannot be borne exclusively by the Government of Ukraine and the generosity of the civil society and other important actors. The donors need to be able to trust the Government's leadership, trust the Government's coordination, and enable a network, that we all represent in this group, to be able to support this.

But let's also leave today's meeting not only with the grim reality of the conflict that we are facing but also with the reinvigoration of a hope, the hope that the courage of survivors fuels us with, that gives us a clear future. And with our dedication, we can actually make sure that we will live in a world free of sexual violence. And that this heinous, the most heinous crime, is actually eradicated from any action of humankind, and forever. 

I really want to thank you all for your commitment. This is not the end of a journey; this journey will last for long. Let's make sure that we stay together, we stay committed, and help one another. For the survivors.