by Mr. Viktor Kryzhanivskyi, Charge d' Affaires, a.i. of Ukraine
to the United Nations,

in the United Nations Security Council

on "Energy, Security and Climate"

(April 17, 2007)

Madam President,

At the outset I would like to thank the UK Presidency for a very timely and well-prepared initiative to hold an open debate on energy, security and climate. My delegation fully associates itself with the statement of Germany on behalf of the European Union.

Now let me touch upon some additional, important for my country, aspects of the theme before us today.

Our Heads of State and Government at the 2005 World Summit reaffirmed the emerging common understanding that security and development are closely interlinked. There is no security without sound economic systems, fair trade regimes, social welfare and rule of law. But how all of these can be achieved if forces of nature can easily undermine well planned human achievements, change the shape of continents and lead to dramatic changes in human habitat?

Science had proven on many occasions that the climate change, global warming and pollution may cause sudden and dramatic consequences if not addressed urgently, properly and effectively. Recent studies of these subjects provided clear evidence to the international community of their long-term consequences and have called for immediate and decisive action.

Madam President,

Ukraine is firmly committed to the international agreements in the area of climate change including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol. For my government, sustainable use of energy and protection of the environment is not an empty slogans. In few days from now we will commemorate the 21st solemn anniversary of the Chornobyl catastrophe, the worst technological disaster humanity ever faced. After more than two decades

Ukraine is still coping with grave consequences of contaminated land, displacement of population from exclusion zone, health issues and psychological shocks. Evidently, all those cause a slow down of economic development, create vulnerability and pose potential risks to society.

Madam President,

Modern way of industrial development, in particular energy production, is the main source of detrimental influence on environment. Thus it is crucial that energy, climate change and security are tackled jointly to realize the objective of sustainable environment.

Therefore we call for, among other policy prescriptions, to build on appropriate incentives, public-private partnerships, low carbon-emitting technologies and innovation.

In this respect my delegation would like particularly to underscore the importance of the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change established under the auspices of WMO and UNEP to assess, compile and synthesize scientific, technical and socio-economic information. We are also looking forward to the preparation of 2007 Human Development Report devoted to the theme "Climate Change and Human Development - Rising the challenge".

Madam President,

Energy policy and climate change are moving towards the center of policy-making in many countries. This process implies on the multilateral framework and our today's deliberations corroborated this thesis. To achieve collective objective to combat climate change we have various extraordinary targets. Achieving those targets will be a significant challenge for a vast majority of countries. It will require full implementation of domestic greenhouse gases reduction measures and effective use of the flexible mechanisms adopted by international agreements.

We call on all parties involved to contribute generously to the process and spare no effort in providing assistance and responding with sound national strategies. Ukraine, in its turn, is ready to commit herself to implement and promote sustainable development as a part of a national priority.

I thank you.