(ILO-Budapest) The United Nations signed a Ukraine-UN Partnership Framework for 2018-2022 with an estimated budget of USD 675 million on 30 November, 2017. The Framework defines the common strategic plan for UN development assistance in four areas, including

·       Sustainable economic growth, environment and employment

·      Equitable access to quality and inclusive services and social protection

·         Democratic governance, rule of law and civic participation

·        Human security, social cohesion and recovery with a particular focus on Eastern Ukraine

The strategic framework is a result of consultations with the United Nations Country team in Ukraine, civil society and other stakeholders. As part of the UN Country Team, ILO supported the national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consultations. The SDG8 “Decent work and economic growth” ranked second in the national consultations, which gave even more relevance to the ILO mandate in Ukraine and generated growing demand for ILO expertise in decent work matters. ILO, through its Decent Work Team based in Budapest and Kyiv, will co-lead – along with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – Framework Pillar 1. “Sustainable economic growth, environment and employment”. The Partnership Framework represents joint commitment to support the reform process in Ukraine, achievement of international standards, the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and the country’s commitment to international treaties and human rights standards.

"On behalf of the Government and Ukraine, I thank the United Nations for supporting the most important areas of Ukraine's development: economic growth, clean environment, social protection and democracy. The well-being of people, their decent life in a safe environment is a key objective of the reforms that our country is currently pursuing. And this extraordinary UN support is important and valuable for us."--said Stepan Kubiv, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine, who signed on behalf the Ukrainian Government.

“The United Nations in Ukraine provides assistance designed to generate decent jobs and a clean environment. We also work to ensure the delivery of quality, non-discriminatory services for people, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable populations. We support actions to reform government, in line with the spirit of Maidan. Finally, we have a specific focus on the Eastern conflict area, promoting social cohesion, recovery and jobs. We support, through action, the SDG principle of “leave no one behind.”--said Neal Walker, UN Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine.