Statement

by the Permanent Representative of Ukraine

 to the United Nations,

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Andrii MELNYK, LL.M.,

at the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly

on the Overall Review of the Implementation of the Outcomes

of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20)

(17 December 2025)

Madam President,

Ukraine aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union.

Allow me to make a few additional remarks in our national capacity.

Ukraine thanks the President of the General Assembly for convening this High-Level Meeting.

I also express my appreciation to the Permanent Representatives of Kenya and Albania, as Co-Facilitators, and their teams for delivering the outcome document.

It is shaped by diverse input and underscores the continued relevance of the WSIS vision in guiding the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the Pact for the Future, and the Global Digital Compact.

Distinguished delegates,

Ukraine is proud of its digital transformation - and a little self-aware too.

After all, we are a country where Russian missiles and drones make headlines every night, but our Wi-Fi still works, proving that digital progress requires resilience, creativity, and very often a sense of humor.

Digitalization is a powerful enabler of sustainable development, innovation, and inclusive growth.

At the same time, it must be grounded in human rights, trust, and meaningful multistakeholder cooperation.

Confidence and security in the use of ICTs are indispensable to ensuring that digital technologies strengthen societies rather than deepen inequalities or fuel instability.

Ukraine strongly believes that the same rights people enjoy in real life - or offline, so to say - must also be protected online, including freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information.

We share concerns over the misuse of digital technologies for disinformation, hate speech, gender-based violence, and repression, and we also stress the importance of addressing these challenges in full conformity with international law and human rights.

Universal, meaningful, and affordable connectivity, digital skills, linguistic diversity, and accessibility are essential to ensuring that no one is left behind.

In this regard, digital public goods and digital public infrastructure - developed in an open, interoperable, and rights-respecting manner - can play a decisive role in inclusive digital transformation.

Madam President,

Despite the grave consequences of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression, Ukraine continues to advance its digital transformation.

We are proud that Ukraine has moved from 102nd to 5th place in the Online Service Index of the UN E-Government Development Index.

Our national digital platform Diia (in English, “The Action”) provides more than 130 public services to over 22 million users, ensuring access to documents, social support, and business services fully online.

We have learned that even under the pressure of deadly Russian bombs and power cuts, Ukrainians can click, tap, and log in—often much faster than the hackers trying to disrupt us. This is digital resilience at its finest.

To ensure uninterrupted education during wartime, Ukraine created Mriya (in English, “The Dream”), an online learning platform that allows millions of our children to study remotely despite Russia’s deliberate attacks on schools and the energy grid.

Let me tell you frankly: teaching remotely during permanent blackouts and air raid alarms requires more courage than any math test - for both students and teachers.

Another important initiative, Strichka (in English, “The Ribbon”), connects millions of Ukrainians abroad, especially refugees, enabling them to volunteer, collaborate, and participate in meaningful activities that support their homeland.

At the same time, Russian troops deliberately target civilian digital and energy infrastructure, including communication towers and data centers, while large-scale cyber operations and manipulation campaigns undermine trust in cyberspace.

But Ukrainian IT teams are relentless. If countering cyberattacks were an Olympic sport, our teams would surely be taking gold - and still be polite enough to send you a smiling status update afterward.

In fact, all these challenges have taught us Ukrainians that resilience is not just about technology. It is about teamwork - and the occasional dark humor to get through long nights of coding under pressure.

Madam President,

Ukraine welcomes the establishment of the Global Mechanism on Developments in the Field of ICTs in the Context of International Security and on Advancing Responsible State Behavior.

Despite all the challenges, Ukraine remains determined to use digital technologies for resilience, recovery, and sustainable growth - and to share its experience with partners pursuing inclusive and secure digital transformation.

We are committed to working closely with all partners to ensure the effective implementation of the WSIS+20 outcomes.

Despite daily Russian attacks, power outages, and my personal struggles with understanding every new app update, Ukraine continues to innovate digitally.

Perhaps one day, an Ivy League university will offer a special course on how Ukraine mastered e-government and remote learning - all while dodging both missiles and pop-up alerts.

Thank you, Madam President.