Mr. President, 

The delegation of Ukraine welcomes the opportunity to discuss the implementation by Member States of their pledges made in the context of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Thank you to the briefers for their comprehensive input.

Despite all external challenges, Ukraine considers the GCM an important tool for enhancing migration governance, as it strengthens the implementation of existing legal frameworks.

Our country is actively implementing provisions of the Global Compact. The principles of the Compact are integrated into key national documents, such as "the State Migration Policy Strategy of Ukraine for the Period up to 2025." This Strategy outlines Ukraine's main priorities, including the integration of vulnerable migrant groups, creation of modern migration management mechanisms and harmonization of national legislation with EU norms. These efforts reflect Ukraine's commitment to improving migration governance in alignment with international standards.

The list of guiding principles of the GCM, as outlined in paragraph 15 of the Compact, confirms that it should be viewed as a system of advanced, constructive standards for addressing migration issues, which does not create new norms, but rather enhances implementation and compliance with the existing norms established by the core international conventions on migration.

It is important to note that, as of today, Ukraine, as a state party to these conventions, strictly adheres to the norms and goals set out in these key international documents.

However, as a country deeply affected by displacement due to the Russian Federation’s ongoing war, Ukraine faces a difficult migration situation itself.

The largest waves of evacuation were recorded during 2022. According to the UNHCR, by the end of 2022, nearly 12 million people had been displaced, both within the country and abroad, the majority of whom were women and children.

As of 18 November 2024, about 6.2 million people who evacuated from Ukraine due to Russian aggression held temporary protection status in EU countries, while within Ukraine, over 4,5 mln. internally displaced persons were officially registered. About 900,000 children are among the internally displaced.

Given these circumstances, combating human trafficking became one of the priority areas for Ukraine. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, together with the OSCE, international partners and civil society organizations, have developed informational materials for Ukrainian citizens evacuating abroad, providing guidance on avoiding situations related to human trafficking and offering contact numbers of “hotlines” in Ukraine and abroad for consultations.

Ukraine is now actively working towards aligning our migration policies with European Union standards to ensure the protection and integration of our citizens abroad and their eventual return back home to Ukraine after the war.

I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the European Union and all partner countries who acted decisively and quickly in providing temporary protection to displaced Ukrainians. We also commend IOM, UNECE and other international partners for their strong humanitarian response, support for socio-economic recovery and efforts to ensure durable solutions.

Ukraine remains committed to promoting effective international cooperation that puts people on the move, their needs and rights at the center, focusing on millions of Ukrainians displaced inside and outside of the country as a result of the armed aggression.

I thank you.