Remarks by Matthias Schmale, the Head of the UN in Ukraine, during UNEP and MFA of Ukraine joint briefing on the impact of the war on the environment of Ukraine

Thank you very much!

Ministers, Ambassadors, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

It's a real honour to be here.

And thank you for convening this important and critical discussion.

We've already heard about the environmental toll of the war on Ukraine, about how vast and long-lasting it is. And I want to commit again, on behalf of the United Nations, as part of your international partners, that we will do our best to help you as a country address these consequences to ensure a sustainable and resilient recovery.

The substantial impact of the conflict on the environment must receive as much attention as human rights violations or infrastructure damage. Attacks on fuel facilities, forest destruction, soil contamination from the remnants of war – all contribute to grave environmental toll. And you've already spoken about the Kahovka Dam, how that breach exemplified the extent of devastation with its direct impact on communities, water sources and ecosystems.

In my first two and a half months serving in your beautiful country, I have been impressed by how focused leaders at all levels are on moving beyond the immediate response and preparing for long-term recovery.

Every effort made now at all levels, from mine clearance to waste management, lays the foundation for preserving and improving the environment of tomorrow's Ukraine. It was inspirational on my recent trip to the South to listen to the governors of Kherson and Mykolaiv and how, amidst ongoing attacks, bombs were flying, they prioritised the recovery in a green way, to build back better and protect the environment.

You've already heard about UNEP, but allow me to give 1 or 2 examples of what other members of the UN family contribute in addition to UNEP.

So, the FAO, for example, the Food and Agriculture Organization, has discovered that Ukrainian agricultural producers face challenges accessing essential resources. Inputs like water and safe arable land, all essential, of course, to food production and assistance in revitalizing agricultural livelihoods thus helps mitigate some of these issues and increase food security and resilience for households. 

We've already spoken a lot about the “Big Brother” in the UN – UNDP and what they do. For example, they've helped launch the first debris management site in Bucha, transforming hazardous debris into materials for recovery. They also supported rebuilding damaged energy infrastructure sustainably, with over 190MW of additional energy capacity from gas and solar sources.

At the policy level, UNDP has been involved in creating a comprehensive study on green recovery, which was presented at the last COP 28. It aligns Ukraine's strategy and environmental recovery ambitions with global standards, and we very much welcome that.

Finally, let me just mention that UNEP, of course, brings a lot to Ukraine, but it also connects what's happening here to the globe. 

In October, UNEP issued an emissions gap report that made it clear that we are all teetering on a planetary tightrope. I mean, as our world leaders, we must bridge the emissions gap, or we will collectively plunge headlong into climate disaster.

Today is not about that. 

Today is about Ukraine and the impact of the full-scale invasion. I want to note that you, as a country, on top of the massive destruction that you are facing of your environment because of the full-scale invasion, you also faced with the rest of us, the impact of climate change that we're all having to deal with.

I was also very pleased to hear from the previous speakers about the legal side of this. This is not just about nature—it transcends nature. It's an issue of human rights that affects people's health, safety, and access to clean resources.

We can learn from you about ecocide emerging as a significant term in international law, especially relevant in Ukraine here. So, it's not just about bringing and supporting; it's also about learning from you. And we should not underestimate what we can learn from you. The question is, how do we ensure justice not only for the damaged ecosystems but also for those directly affected—families and communities who deserve a healthy environment, clean water, and a secure livelihood?

In conclusion, the environmental and humanitarian response in Ukraine requires all hands on deck. Government, international partners, including the UN, as well as the private sector and civil society—together, we can plan for and achieve an environmental recovery that not only restores the land and protects the environment but also ensures justice and dignified lives for those most affected.

Thank you very much.