12 March 2026 11:04 UTC · UK Government · GOV.UK Speech · Source · Email X Link

UK Government welcomes OCEEA work and Ukraine support

Key points

Commends OCEEA environmental and governance projects
Prioritises support for Ukraine, good governance and migration

TL;DR

UK thanks Ambassador Dzhusupov and commends OCEEA’s work addressing environmental, economic and humanitarian damage from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine
UK welcomes OCEEA projects assessing environmental impacts, supporting Ukraine’s State Environmental Inspectorate, and promoting good governance including anti‑money laundering capacity building
UK values OCEEA work on inclusive governance, digitalisation, migration and climate‑related mobility, water governance, disaster risk reduction, hazardous waste management, and the Dniester Basin project; will continue support focused on Ukraine, good governance, and migration

Original text

Thank you, Mr Chair. And thank you Ambassador Dzhusupov for your report, and for the work of your Office at a time of profound strain on our shared security. In contrast to the comments of the previous speaker, it is clear that Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine continues to cause severe economic, environmental and humanitarian damage – both directly in Ukraine, and with wider consequences across our region. We commend the OCEEA’s efforts to address these effects, including the environmental consequences of Russia’s war. The UK welcomes the impact of project work assessing the environmental impacts of the war and supporting the work of Ukraine’s State Environmental Inspectorate. This practical support is essential to reducing long‑term risks and enabling Ukraine’s recovery. Good governance remains central to regional stability. The UK is proud to support your cross‑regional work building capacity to counter money laundering across Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the South Caucasus. This work helps participating States respond to fast‑evolving financial threats and strengthens compliance with international standards. We also recognise the importance of inclusive governance, including the OCEEA’s efforts to expand youth and women’s participation across environmental and economic activities. We welcome the Office’s broader agenda on transparency, digitalisation and open data, including the emphasis on evidence‑based policymaking and effective digital tools. This support is useful across our region, for example in driving the use of open data for economic governance and business innovation. Migration and climate‑related mobility are pressing challenges for our region. The UK values OCEEA’s analytical work and regional dialogue on the links between climate change, human mobility and security. These initiatives help participating States address root causes, improve data practices and strengthen co‑operation – an approach fully aligned with UK priorities on upstream migration management. Lastly, we welcome the Office’s work on water governance, disaster risk reduction, hazardous waste management, and climate adaptation. The Dniester Basin project, delivered with Moldova and Ukraine, is a positive example of practical cross‑border co‑operation in action. Ambassador Dzhusupov, we will continue to support your efforts to deliver practical, credible and demand‑driven assistance to participating States, with a particular focus on Ukraine, good governance, and migration. We thank you and your team. Thank you Chair.

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Ambassador Dzhusupov

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Dniester Basin