Ukraine is moving into a leadership role
Ukraine is preparing for its presidency of the Carpathian Convention, which is expected to start after the Eighth Conference of the Parties (COP8) at the end of 2026. This will give Ukraine a full year to shape priorities for environmental protection, sustainable development of the Carpathian region, and regional cooperation between participating states. For a country that is simultaneously rebuilding and integrating with the EU, such a mandate strengthens its international profile.
EU assessment: Ukraine is on the right track
At an expert meeting in Zhytomyr, representatives of Ukrainian ministries, the environmental inspectorate and international organizations discussed the implementation of the Carpathian Convention. Participants noted that the European Commission has given a high assessment of Ukraine’s progress in aligning its environmental legislation with European requirements. This confirms that Ukraine is steadily moving along the path of environmental reforms and can be trusted with a coordinating role in the region.
What the presidency will allow Ukraine to do
After COP8, Ukraine will be able to:
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lead official and expert events within the Convention;
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propose and coordinate joint priorities for Carpathian countries (biodiversity, forest protection, climate adaptation, sustainable tourism);
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initiate new cross-border environmental projects for the Carpathian region;
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strengthen its position as a country that protects mountain ecosystems even in wartime.
Regular expert meetings and involvement of regional representatives were also agreed to ensure high-quality preparation for the presidency.
Why this is important for partners and investors
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Predictable rules. A positive assessment from EU institutions means Ukraine is getting closer to European environmental standards, which simplifies project preparation.
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Project territory is clear. The Carpathians are a defined geographic area where nature-protection, eco-tourism, forest-management and climate projects can be launched.
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Institutional continuity. The planned presidency and regular expert dialogue reduce risks for long-term environmental and infrastructure projects.
