At COP29, Ukraine will not only tell the world about the environmental damage caused by full-scale Russian aggression but also demonstrate that despite the war, Ukraine remains a reliable partner in achieving climate goals
This was stated by Svitlana Grynchik, the Minister of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, at the Forum “Ukraine at Climate Change Conference COP29”. The event was conducted In Kyiv on 31 of October in a hybrid format.
For the third time Ukraine is hosting its national pavilion at COP – the biggest international climate change conference in the world. But for the first time the Ministry gathers representatives of government , business and civil society before the official start of the COP, in order to synchronize and discuss how to best present Ukraine at the Conference and attract as many international partners as possible to Ukrainian initiatives and green recovery. Such a systemic approach demonstrates inclusivity and openness of both COP and climate processes for all interested parties.
“ With this event, we want to demonstrate to all our stakeholders what we are bringing to COP29. We want to defend Ukraine’s right to independence and show that we are a reliable partner in the future.” – stressed Viktoria Kyreeva, the deputy minister of environment protection and natural resources of Ukraine.
Welcoming remarks were made by Oleh Bondarenko, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management, Yuriy Huseyev, Ambassador of Ukraine to Azerbaijan, and Sabir Rzayev, Counsellor of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Ukraine. Jocelyn Cornet, Head of the Energy, Infrastructure and Environment Reconstruction Unit at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, also joined the meeting via video link.
Three panel discussions were held on the sidelines of the forum. The first was ‘Interagency Coordination of Ukraine’s Preparations for COP29. Updating the climate agenda’. It was attended by Deputy Minister of the Environment Viktoriia Kyreeva, Deputy Minister of Economy Andrii Teliupa, Deputy Minister of Finance Oleksandr Kava, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Oksana Osmachko, Deputy Minister of Energy Roman Andarak, and Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving Hanna Zamazeyeva.
The participants noted that, besides the energy sector, the agricultural sector was very actively involved in the process this year. Overall, the panel demonstrated a high level of climate cross-sectionalism and the readiness of various Ukrainian ministries and agencies not only to participate in Ukraine’s preparations for COP29 but also to contribute to joint efforts to achieve climate goals effectively. One of which is the carbon neutrality of Ukraine by 2050. This is set out in the framework climate law adopted in early October and is in line with the deadlines set by the European Union.
‘Success stories of green business transformation. Expectations from COP29’ was the title of the second block of the event. The discussions were attended by the heads of Ukrainian energy giants, leaders of the agricultural sector, and the Director-General of the UNGC in Ukraine. They shared the practical results and benefits of participating in the COP: presentation of their own achievements, strengthening their image in the international arena, finding partners and concluding deals.
But most importantly, participation in this international conference helps businesses navigate global environmental trends. This allows them to improve their processes and prepare in advance for changes and new requirements that arise during the fight against climate change. The panelists focused on the integration of the latest technologies and artificial intelligence into production processes and shared their experience of implementing green innovations and approaches at their companies and environmental cooperation in the international arena.
Overall, the discussions at this panel demonstrated the high awareness of big business of the climate agenda and its readiness for decarbonisation. More and more Ukrainian businesses understand the need for and inevitability of a green transformation and are already investing in relevant innovations, technologies, and projects.
Representatives of civil society also actively participated in the PreCOP meeting. They had the opportunity to express their views and suggestions during the third panel discussion – ‘Expectations from COP29 – Civil Society, Youth and Experts’. It was attended by the leaders of the Ecodia Centre for Environmental Initiatives, Save Dnipro NGO, the EU Covenant of Mayors East project, and the Rozviy youth climate initiative.
‘There was a lot of talk about how to keep the world’s attention on Ukraine and Russian aggression against it. And this attention is somewhat eroded in the third year of the war, the panellists stated.
Civil society sees one of its tasks at COP29 as telling the world the truth about Russia, its crimes and colonial nature. This is especially important for the countries of the Global South, where Moscow has managed to whitewash its reputation.
The Ukrainian pavilion at the COP29 will be opened on 12 November. This year, about 50 events and discussions with Ukrainian and international speakers are planned. At COP29, Ukraine will present itself as a model of resilience and green development in times of war; a centre of green innovation, progressive solutions and digitalisation, open to the world.
