Statement 

at the High-level Forum on the Culture of Peace 

Delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative Khrystyna Hayovyshyn

(2 August 2024)

Mr. President,

Ukraine would like to thank President of the General Assembly for convening this High-Level Forum to mark 25 years since Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace were adopted.

Over these years, most of the international community has demonstrated resoluteness in promoting the culture of peace. Unfortunately, there have been those who opted for aggression and violence. Today, our world is an even less safe and secure place than it was in 1999.

The goal set out as the theme of this year’s Forum - cultivating and nurturing the Culture of Peace for present and future generations – remains far from reality.

There is a plethora of threats to peace, and wars of aggression, aimed at forcefully changing internationally recognized borders, are the major and most dangerous ones.

If no viable solution to stop aggressors is found, future generations will be doomed to live in the past, with fist law instead of principles and multilateralism.

Our arrangements in the culture of peace domain serve as an informative litmus test to assess the current state of play.

The Declaration proclaims respect for life and non-violence – yet people across the globe are being killed in conflicts every day. In particular, the sad list includes Ukrainians, suffered from the Russian invasion.

The Declaration also sets full respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of States as an indispensable element of the Culture of Peace. Russia instead demands for the world to respect its “right” to violate the above principles.

The Declaration focuses on the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations. Definitely, these needs do not encompass occupation of the nuclear power plant, which may result in a nuclear incident, affecting millions of people far beyond Ukraine. I would like to reiterate our appreciation to all Member States that supported last month the relevant GA resolution and demanded the de-occupation of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia NPP, seized by Russia.

Traditionally, inter-religious and intercultural dialogue as well as education have received a special focus within the culture of peace domain. Since the beginning of invasion, the Russian forces have destroyed or damaged in Ukraine more than 600 cultural and religious sites, more than 3400 education facilities.

The Programme of Action of a Culture of Peace clearly emphasizes the inadmissibility of acquisition of territory by war and the need to work for a just and lasting peace in all parts of the world.

We will succeed in the practical implementation of this provision if we all agree that a just and lasting peace can be achieved only if based on the principles of the UN Charter. This is the vision, enshrined in both the GA Resolution ES-11/6 on peace for Ukraine and in Ukraine’s Peace Formula.

The practical implementation of the Formula has gained momentum following the inaugural Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held in Switzerland this June.

We reiterate our invitation to all peace-loving nations to join the follow-up activities, in particular the preparation of the peace plan to be presented at the second Summit. This will not only bring peace back to our region but also practically contribute to advancing the Culture of Peace and making this concept a viable tool to ensure a brighter future for all.         

Thank you.