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Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine at the 19th session of UN Forum on Forests (6 May 2024)

 

Mr. Chairman, 

Ukraine places significant importance on the UN Forum on Forests as the primary UN platform for discussing issues pertaining to the development of sustainable forest management and the attainment of the Global Forest Goals, to which Ukraine is fully committed.

Despite the Russian war against Ukraine, my country takes necessary steps to protect its forests and to increase forest cover of Ukraine, in particular by making its voluntary contributions to UN Strategic Plan for Forests.

In 2023, forests were restored on an area of 35.2 thousand hectares, with new forests created on an area of 5.9 thousand hectares. As part of the implementation of the President of Ukraine's program "Green Country", 197.5 million trees were planted.

Given the impact of the Russian aggression on the natural ecosystems of Ukraine, the governmental order No. 840-r "On Amendments to the Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated December 29, 2021 No. 1777" was adopted on September 22, 2023 to supplement the State Forest Management Strategy of Ukraine to 2035 with new tasks aimed at restoring forest ecosystems. 

Digitalization of processes in the forestry sector has become a significant step for Ukraine in the area of forests. Currently, components of a unique digital traceability chain for the Ukrainian timber market have been developed and implemented.

Ukraine takes the necessary measures to implement the provisions of the European Union Deforestation Regulation, which affect the process of exporting wood to the EU countries. An important stage for Ukraine in this area is the adaptation of the forest sector of the economy of Ukraine and the further harmonization of national legislation with the strategy, policy and legislative requirements of the EU.

Mr. Chairman, let me stress that as of today, up to 1 million hectares of forests are located on the temporarily occupied territory or under the hostilities. Contamination with unexploded ordnance (UXO) is currently one of the critical problems of forestry in Ukraine. The total damages to Ukrainian forests are huge.

The Russian military aggression has become a serious obstacle to Ukraine's fulfillment of international obligations and the achievement of national strategic goals, and also leads to the reduction of forest cover, destruction and pollution of ecosystems. After the end of the war, large-scale restoration of forest ecosystems will become a priority task for Ukraine.

The full version of my statement will be available on the UN Journal website.

Thank you.