Zelensky at UN: Russian aggression impedes Ukraine’s sustainable development

Ukraine has two barriers on its path of implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals: resistance to reforms and aggression of the Russian Federation.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky made a corresponding statement, speaking at the UN SDG Summit as part of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Ukraine has chosen the right path of development, and now it's time to move along it faster and, most importantly, more confidently. There are two barriers on this path now. The first one is the domestic political tradition when the reforms important for development meet resistance. But we, the new Ukrainian authorities, will certainly cope with this. The second barrier is much more complicated, and we cannot overcome it without your support, without international support. This is the war caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

He emphasized: no state can achieve sustainable development without peace and sense of security, adding that "sustainable development is impossible to the sounds of gunshots and explosions."

“Sustainable development is impossible in the territory where aggressive geopolitical strategies dominate, promoting invasion of other states and violating human rights and freedoms,” Zelensky emphasized.

The President of Ukraine recalled that the occupation of Crimea and part of Donbas entailed the destruction of critical infrastructure, industrial facilities, and intersectoral linkages. About 80% of coal mines and banking assets worth $5 billion stay in the occupied territory and the Ukrainian state has lost more than 15% of GDP and 15% of industrial production.

Above all, Ukraine has lost over 13,000 citizens, Zelensky emphasized.

“We have lost not only professional military but famous volunteers also. Doctors, teachers, athletes, scientists, researchers, artists, musicians, journalists, human rights activists are among those fallen. Everyone could have contributed to the development of Ukraine and the whole world. Unfortunately, it is already impossible,” the Head of State emphasized.

At the same time, he expressed confidence that it would be possible to return the Ukrainian territories, end the war, and ultimately bring peace through joint efforts with international partners by political and diplomatic means.

“This is our number one goal. We aim to move forward without barriers to achieve sustainable development goals and build a new world side by side with the UN member states. A world free of poverty, hunger, diseases and, most importantly, free of war. I am sure this will be a task for every world leader for the next decade,” Zelensky summed up.