Kyiv, 27 December 2024 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and funding from the Government of Japan, has launched the first Digital Diplomatic Archive. 

This pioneering platform compiles and digitises key documents that highlight the evolution of Ukraine’s diplomatic service, spanning from the era of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (1918-1921) to the present day. 

The archive features unique materials on the activities of Ukrainian diplomatic and consular missions, as well as foreign missions accredited in Ukraine. It is a significant step in preserving and promoting the history of Ukrainian diplomacy.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha emphasized the importance of the archive’s role in restoring historical truth about Ukraine’s state-building traditions and diplomatic history. 

“A strong diplomatic service is an integral attribute of a robust, powerful state,” Sybiha said at the event marking the launch of the archive. “To build strong diplomacy for a strong state – a member of the EU and NATO, and a prosperous nation – our diplomatic service must be rooted in tradition. And we do have these century-old traditions.”

UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Jaco Cilliers noted that such initiatives strengthen national unity and preserve national heritage: “We’re proud to support this project, which not only preserves national heritage, but also advances digital technologies in Ukraine,” Cilliers said. “The Digital Diplomatic Archive provides an opportunity for the in-depth exploration of diplomatic relations, which form a vital part of national identity. UNDP is pleased to support initiatives that foster unity, promote historical research, and enhance digital literacy in Ukraine.”

The online archive provides access to digitized versions of historical documents, such as the Universal Acts of the Ukrainian Central Rada, the Hetman decrees, resolutions of the Directorate, diplomatic correspondence, archival photographs, passports, and other valuable materials that illustrate the stages of Ukraine’s diplomatic development.

Users can easily search for documents using filters by categories, countries, creation years, languages, and names.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org