Kyiv 19 August 2024 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is pleased to announce the launch of a project titled “Implementation of SDGs in Ukraine in the context of recovery from war and towards European integration.” 

The initiative aims to strengthen Ukraine’s national framework for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation, particularly in light of the country's recovery efforts and its ongoing integration with Europe.

The project, which officially commenced in June 2024, is designed to support the Government of Ukraine, specifically the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (SCMU), in leading the development and implementation of the national SDG framework. A key aspect of the project is to promote the localization of SDGs, ensuring that policies at both national and local levels are aligned with the updated global and local SDG indicators.

This week, an interagency work group convened to present interim progress on updating the national SDG indicators, which will be critical in the development of Ukraine’s national and local planning and policy documents. It is anticipated that the updated SDG indicators will receive endorsement from the workgroup, setting the stage for the Cabinet of Ministers to develop a draft normative document that will formalize the new SDG framework.

Commenting on the importance of this project, Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, said: “Ukraine's path to recovery is fraught with challenges but abundant with opportunities. Together, through our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, we do more than rebuild; we transform. Through collaboration, dedication, and innovation, we can lay the groundwork for a resilient and prosperous future for all Ukrainians.”

Oleh Nemchinov, Chairman of the Interagency Working Group and Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, also emphasized the critical role of the updated SDG framework in Ukraine’s recovery and development:

“The Sustainable Development Goals are not just a global commitment; they are a roadmap for Ukraine’s future. The updated SDG framework, developed in close collaboration with our partners at UNDP, will guide our efforts to build a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous Ukraine. The work of the Interagency Working Group is crucial in ensuring that our policies and strategies are aligned with these goals, ultimately leading to better outcomes for all Ukrainians.”

The new project is a logical continuation of UNDP's previous SDG BRIDGE project, which was instrumental in adapting Ukraine’s localized SDG framework to reflect recent global and national developments. With the support of the SDG BRIDGE project, on 29 August 2023 the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine launched the Interagency Working Group to Ensure the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (IWG). This group, along with its 17 working groups (one for each SDG), has played a pivotal role in advancing Ukraine's SDG agenda.

In addition to legislative support, the project will assist in developing guidelines for integrating SDGs into policy development at both the central and sub-national levels. The project will also collaborate with the State Statistics Service to update the SDG information on the Government Portal and produce analytical materials to support informed decision-making.

Furthermore, the UNDP project will offer awareness-raising and capacity-building activities to civil servants and local officials, ensuring they have the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively implement the new SDG framework.

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