Statement by the delegation of Ukraine during 80^th UNGA

Second Committee meeting under agenda item 18: Sustainable development

(13 October 2025)

Mr. Chairman,

Ukraine remains unwavering in its dedication to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Even under conditions of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression, Ukraine continues its efforts to advance the SDGs, both domestically and in solidarity with others. We continue to build resilience, innovate, and share our experiences with partners, convinced that our struggle for survival is also a struggle for sustainable development.

The consequences of the aggression against Ukraine, however, directly undermine global progress towards all the SDGs, be it zero hunger, good health, quality education, clean water, climate action, strong institutions or others.

A clear example is the destruction by the occupying forces of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant in June 2023, which caused massive flooding across 600 square kilometers, destroyed farmland, and deprived hundreds of thousands of people of access to clean water. The consequences of this act of ecocide are far-reaching and extend well beyond Ukraine.

In recent two weeks, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Ukraine and Europe, has been cut off from the electricity grid due to Russian shelling. Occupied since 2022, the plant remains in critical condition. Any failure would have catastrophic, transboundary consequences for most of the European region.

The war also devastates our environment and biodiversity. Ten national parks, eight nature reserves, and two biosphere reserves remain under occupation. Hundreds of thousands of hectares of forests lie in the war zone. This contamination of Ukraine’s environment undermines climate action and the protection of life on land, with consequences that will affect the region for decades.

At the same time, Ukrainian schools and educational facilities remain deliberate targets of the aggressor state, depriving children of their right to learn. Yet Ukraine remains dedicated to the goal of quality education, responding with resilience, building underground schools, and developing digital solutions to ensure that education continues even during air raids.

Mr. Chairman,

With only five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda, the world cannot afford to ignore how war undermines sustainable development. This is not only an attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty and people; it is an attack on the SDGs, on Europe’s security, and on our shared future. Ukraine, therefore, calls on all Member States to stand united in defending the UN Charter and the 2030 Agenda. Ukraine will continue to pursue the 2030 Agenda, supporting multilateral solutions and contributing to a safer, greener, and more resilient world.

I thank you.