Statement by the delegation of Ukraine at

the UN Member States dialogue with Resident Coordinators 

(2 December 2025)

 

Mr. Chair,

Ukraine thanks the Development Coordination Office for convening this annual dialogue at a time when the global commitment to sustainable development is being tested as never before. We reiterate our strong support for the Resident Coordinator system, which we view as an essential mechanism for ensuring coherence and coordination across the UN’s activities at the country level.

In Ukraine, more than 20 UN entities are operating on the ground. Their work covers humanitarian response, early recovery, development, human rights and resilience-building. In such a complex environment, coordination is not a formality – it is a necessity. The Resident Coordinator plays an indispensable role in ensuring that the actions of these agencies are aligned, mutually reinforcing and responsive to the real needs of our people. We therefore advocate for further strengthening this role, both politically and operationally.

Allow me to take this opportunity to commend the work of
Mr. Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine. His leadership, professionalism and dedication have been instrumental in maintaining coherence within the UN presence and ensuring that assistance reaches Ukrainians in need.

With regard to the practical functioning of the Resident Coordinator’s office, Ukraine supports ensuring predictable and dedicated resources for its work, alongside the activities of individual UN agencies. If we expect the Resident Coordinator to provide strategic leadership and ensure synergy across the UN system, we must equip the office with adequate and autonomous tools to do so.

Mr. Chair,

Ukraine enters yet another winter under constant threat. Russia continues its nearly daily attacks on residential areas and critical civilian infrastructure – including energy, transport and water systems – aiming to leave millions of Ukrainians without electricity, heat and other essential services. This is the fourth winter since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Yet Ukraine continues to fight, adapt and strengthen its resilience.

We are deeply grateful to our partners and to the entire UN system for standing with Ukraine. Your support helps us keep hospitals functioning, schools open, essential services running and communities resilient even in the face of deliberate attempts by Russia to create a humanitarian catastrophe. We count on your continued engagement as we work to protect our people and maintain stability.

Despite the war, Ukraine remains committed to advancing sustainable development. We believe that with the UN’s partnership — and with strong, empowered coordination through the Resident Coordinator system — we can continue building a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable Ukraine.

Thank you.