STATEMENT

by Deputy Permanent Representative Ms. Khrystyna Hayovyshyn 

at the 80^th session of the UN General Assembly under agenda item 9

(Report of the Economic and Social Council)

(13 November 2025)

Madame President, 

Distinguished delegates, Ambassador Bob Rae

At the outset, I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the Permanent Representative of Canada Ambassador Bob Rae for his excellent and dedicated leadership of the Economic and Social Council during the past term. Your personal commitment has greatly contributed to the effective work of the Council in addressing an increasingly complex range of global challenges.

Ukraine attaches great importance to the work of ECOSOC as the central UN body responsible for promoting international economic and social cooperation and development. Its deliberations are vital to advancing the 2030 Agenda and ensuring that global recovery remains inclusive, sustainable, and resilient.

Let me stress that ongoing armed conflicts around the world, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, severely undermine collective efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. They cause immense human suffering and divert resources away from sustainable development priorities.

As a newly elected member of ECOSOC for the term 2026–2028, Ukraine will focus on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, including by strengthening global food and energy security, addressing the impacts of climate change, and reducing poverty and inequalities. Proper attention will be given to promoting gender equality and social inclusion, protecting the rights of children, persons with disabilities, and displaced persons, as well as enhancing environmental protection and sustainable resource management as key components of recovery and resilience. We will proceed from the importance of strengthening cooperation among ECOSOC’s functional commissions and subsidiary bodies to ensure coherent and effective responses to global challenges.

Ukraine attaches particular importance to the social dimension of development. We welcome the successful holding of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha last week and commend the State of Qatar for the excellent organization of this important event. The outcomes of the Summit and the newly adopted Doha Political Declaration provide a renewed impetus to collective efforts aimed at achieving social justice and inclusion for all.

As the current Chair of the 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development, Ukraine stands ready to advance the follow-up to the Doha Declaration, to strengthen coordination within the ECOSOC system, and to promote tangible progress in implementing the social pillar of sustainable development. The Doha Declaration is not a destination but the beginning. Sustained commitment and concrete action of Member States are needed to achieve the long-lasting progress.

Madame President,

Ukraine’s own experience shows that even under conditions of war, social protection, employment, and inclusion remain vital to national resilience and recovery. We firmly believe that social justice and sustainable development are not only moral imperatives but also prerequisites for lasting peace.

Thank you.