Statement

by the Delegation of Ukraine 

on its Objection to the Consensus Decision on the Re-election 

of the Russian Federation as Vice-Chair of the Bureau of the United Nations Forum on Forests 

for its twenty-second and twenty-third sessions

(15 May 2026, New York)

Mr. Chair,

Ukraine requests that the record of today’s proceedings reflects our objection to the uncontested election of the Russian Federation to the Bureau of the United Nations Forum on Forests as Vice-Chair for its twenty-second and twenty-third sessions.

Ukraine is deeply concerned that this body has allowed the Russian Federation to continue to hold a leadership position within the UN Forum on Forests.

The Russian Federation is waging a war of aggression against Ukraine that is destroying not only Ukrainian cities and villages, but also forests, ecosystems and biodiversity.

Nearly one third of Ukraine’s forests have been damaged to varying degrees. Up to 1 million hectares of forests are located in the temporarily occupied territories or in areas affected by hostilities. Around 450,000 hectares are contaminated by mines and unexploded ordnance.

These are burned forests, poisoned soil, destroyed habitats, dead wildlife and long-term environmental damage that will affect Ukraine, Europe and the world for generations.

A State responsible for such destruction cannot credibly guide the work of a United Nations body devoted to forests and sustainable forest management.

For these reasons, Mr. Chair, Ukraine dissociates itself from the decision on the re-election of the Russian Federation to the Bureau of the United Nations Forum on Forests.

Thank you.