Ukraine is set to launch an initiative to restore forests and degraded ecosystems
The Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is launching a new initiative aimed at restoring forest landscapes and ecosystems.
This was reported by the Ministry of Economy.
The initiative covers the development of forest and agroforestry systems, the restoration of ecosystem services, and the implementation of sustainable natural resource management practices. The main goal is to combat land degradation and enhance climate resilience.
The project is being implemented with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Its estimated budget is $5.4 million.
According to expert estimates, approximately 2.9 million hectares of forest in Ukraine have been damaged or degraded as a result of hostilities, fires, shelling, contamination with explosive ordnance, and chemical contamination.
Some of these areas remain inaccessible, which complicates monitoring and forest management.
“Restoring forest landscapes is not only a response to the destruction caused by the war but also a strategic investment in the country’s future… Such initiatives lay the foundation for the development of a modern, efficient, and sustainable forestry sector in Ukraine,” noted Taras Vysotsky, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture.
Shakhnaza Muminova, Head of the FAO Office in Ukraine, emphasized that the project creates a foundation for systematic investments in forest restoration and will promote environmentally sound reconstruction.
The ministry noted that FAO and GEF programs covering over 248,000 hectares were already implemented between 2017 and 2023. These programs were aimed at improving monitoring systems, legislation, and sustainable land management.
The new initiative is part of Ukraine’s long-term strategy for ecosystem restoration and strengthening institutional capacity in the field of natural resource management.
As a reminder, Ukraine and the International Atomic Energy Agency are drafting a document on cooperation in post-war reconstruction and the development of nuclear energy. The project provides for technical support for the construction of new nuclear power plants, the introduction of small modular reactors, and the modernization of equipment.
Ukraine and Germany have signed two cooperation agreements as part of intergovernmental consultations. The signing took place in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
