Monday, November 30, 2015

Statement by President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko at the twenty first session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

Distinguished Mr. Chair,
Esteemed Mr. Secretary-General,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, I would like to express my deep solidarity with France, its people and President Hollande.

We admire the French for their courage, for their unbroken spirit and for the way they responded to the barbaric and coward terrorist attacks.

The terrible events that France experienced this tragic November are a daily reality for Ukraine for almost 21 months.

My country is suffering from terrorism sponsored and promoted by the Russian Federation. 

As a result, more than 8.000 Ukrainians, of whom about 6.000 civilians lost their lives.


I am convinced that there can be no compromise on democratic values and principles with terrorists or states sponsoring terrorism.   

We are not afraid and will never be intimidated!

And such high-level international representation at the summit, which is almost equal to the UN General Assembly, is the best evidence of that.

Ukrainians stand side-by-side with the French.
Vivre la France!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen,
My country became the object of hybrid warfare.

The hybrid warfare, which results in hybrid consequences.

They may be less visible but are still very damaging.

One of them - the risk of environmental disaster in the eastern part of Ukraine - Donbas.

Russia-backed terrorists flooded many mines in this area.

Their criminal actions led to poisoning drinking water, soils, flora and fauna of the region.

Donbas became a shooting range for Russian and pro-Russian troops. 

As a result, the ground and atmosphere are heavily polluted with exploded ammo as well as with leakage from shelled chemical and other sensitive industrial plants.

I strongly believe that the issue of environment protection under the conditions of conflict can no longer remain without adequate response of international community.

This problem, among others, will be in focus of our activities within the United Nations system, in particular the United Nations Environment Programme.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Despite all challenges, we remain firmly committed to our obligations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.   

My country consistently contributes to the efforts aimed at reducing anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit dangerous global temperature.

Ukraine set a target not to exceed 60% of 1990 Greenhouse gas emissions level in 2030.

We defined this level, bearing in mind large-scale problems that Ukraine needs to solve to rebuild Donbas.

We are talking about the reconstruction of destroyed industrial plants, infrastructure, including railways, oil and gas pipelines, water supplies as well as social facilities.

The immense work, which is still to be done, would increase the production of metal and non-metallic building materials.

However, we assume that Ukraine’s GHG emission level is only a threshold limit, which my country will not surpass.

I am also confident that, after restoration of Donbas, Ukraine will make it possible to achieve a level well below the limit we have declared in our Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

However, to be able to undertake a more ambitious target we need to settle the conflict in Donbas – by peaceful means and in strict compliance with the Minsk agreements.

Here we rely on our partners, in particular France and Germany, and the European Union in general. We rely on our transatlantic solidarity. 

We also need to secure sufficient finance resources for reconstruction of Donbas.

However, these resources can be viewed as an investment in tackling climate change.

Because the new Ukrainian Donbas should be of a focus in energy efficiency.   

Another issue that we must address today is to give an impetus to reaching a compromise on a new Global climate agreement so that it comes into force in 2020.

Ukraine is actively engaged in the development of this key document.

In our view, it should be based on several principles:  

First, the new agreement should be applicable to all countries.

Second, differentiation in this agreement must be based on a justified economic and social indicators as well as flexible and legally binding.

Third, it must provide market and non-market instruments to meet obligations and every country shall have equal and indiscriminate access to these instruments.

Forth, the agreement must envisage strengthening international cooperation on adaptation to climate change, including the exchange of information on the best available instruments and technologies.

Last but not least, the new global climate agreement should be dynamic to promptly adapt to the evolution in the socio-economic development of the Parties, the ambition of their NDC as well as dynamics of the climate change.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have many problems on the table.

Terrorism, wars, migration.

But there is only one problem, which makes us equal in terms of vulnerability.

This is the problem of climate change.

Solving it - is a test for all nations.

Let's not forget the old truth: "A house divided within itself won't stand".

Earth is our house. And at least this time it cannot be "divided within".

Thank you!


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