Ukraine Presents Green Recovery Vision at GEF Assembly in Uzbekistan

What Happened

During the eighth Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly on June 8, 2026, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Ukraine outlined its vision for post-war ecological restoration and green transformation. This presentation highlighted the significant environmental damage caused by the ongoing war, emphasizing the need for immediate attention and action in restoring Ukraine's ecosystems.

Key Details

Olha Yushkevych, the director of international cooperation at the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture, represented Ukraine at the assembly. She articulated how the full-scale Russian aggression has severely impacted ecosystems, forests, water resources, agricultural lands, and protected areas.

These damages have direct implications for biodiversity, climate resilience, and food and water security. Yushkevych's address stressed that the war presents an opportunity for Ukraine to undertake a green modernization process post-conflict, aligning with European ecological policies.

The key priorities outlined include: - **Restoration of war-damaged ecosystems** - **Sustainable forest management** - **Development of modern waste management systems** - **Chemical safety initiatives** - **Implementation of circular economy principles** - **Restoration of aquatic and marine ecosystems** Additionally, Ukrainian representatives engaged in various working meetings to discuss financing opportunities for GEF-9 for the 2026-2030 cycle, focusing on climate adaptation, addressing plastic pollution, and supporting innovative solutions for resilience.

Why It Matters

The GEF plays a crucial role as an international funding mechanism for environmental and climate projects. Ukraine's participation not only emphasizes the country's commitment to environmental recovery amid conflict but also seeks to integrate with global environmental initiatives.

The financial support and collaborative opportunities discussed could significantly aid in the country’s environmental restoration efforts.

Background

Since the onset of the war in 2022, it is estimated that Russia has inflicted around 6.9 trillion hryvnias in environmental damage to Ukraine, with approximately 4 trillion attributed to destroyed and damaged protected areas and about 2 trillion due to soil contamination. Ukrainian scientists have also conducted comprehensive research on how the war is affecting air quality, revealing both immediate and long-term effects on the country's environment.

The involvement of the Global Environment Facility will be essential for Ukraine's long-term ecological strategy and commitment to environmental sustainability as it navigates recovery from the ongoing conflict.