The Ministry of Health took part in a crucial conference focused on preserving biodiversity amidst threats posed by war.

At the high-level segment of COP16 Colombia, five heads of state and around 100 environment ministers participated. Senior environmental officials from each country gathered in Cali to exchange views on complex biodiversity conservation issues, contribute to the development of crucial decisions being made at the Conference, and support Colombia's initiative "Global Coalition for Peace with Nature: A Call to Life." This initiative calls for actions aimed at addressing ecological challenges and promoting the strengthening of strategies and policies to preserve the planet and its biodiversity. Joining the Coalition is voluntary and does not incur legal obligations.

Sergey Vlasenko, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, delivered a statement on behalf of the Ukrainian delegation at the high-level segment of the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

“As a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity and other international treaties, Ukraine fully supports efforts to conserve, restore, and sustainably use biodiversity, adhering to the principles of international law and regulations. Currently, Ukraine is updating its National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and corresponding Action Plan based on the Global Framework for Biodiversity,” noted Sergey Vlasenko.

The Deputy Minister also emphasized that one central theme of the high-level segment of COP16 Colombia is "Peace with Nature," which is unattainable in Ukraine while Russia continues to destroy living nature, disregarding all international obligations.

“The ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine is an attack on the environment and biodiversity. As a result of the Russian invasion, our natural heritage has suffered and continues to face significant destruction. Forests are burning, natural habitats are being destroyed, animals are being killed, and technological disasters are occurring — and unfortunately, this is not an exhaustive list of the threats to our environment. We must act collectively at all levels,” stated Sergey Vlasenko.

He called on all countries that respect international law and the UN Charter to join in the implementation of President Volodymyr Zelensky's Peace Formula.

“Point 8 of the Ukrainian Peace Formula addresses environmental security – the very topic we are discussing today at our meeting. I want to reiterate that the Peace Formula is the only alternative peace plan that guarantees the restoration of a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace for Ukraine and safety for the world as a whole in all areas, including ecology. Nature knows no borders. We must remember this. The war, which has been ongoing for a long time on the European continent, poses a threat to peace and brings unprecedented and long-term challenges to the environment, human habitats, and wildlife,” added Sergey Vlasenko.