UNDP to help Ukraine - FM Kuleba

MOSCOW. July 19 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba signed a memorandum of cooperation between the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) with UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner during a visit to New York.

Ukrainian media have reported with reference to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry website that the memorandum envisions UNDP's additional assistance in Ukraine's post-crisis recovery within the framework of the Ukrainian government's priorities, particularly as regards war risk insurance, demining, the restoration of power infrastructure, and support for small and medium-sized businesses. "The UN Development Program is a powerful project agency with a total budget of $6.7 billion. The memorandum that we have signed would help increase the scope of its support, particularly by tapping into its expertise and resources for achieving priority goals of Ukraine's recovery," Kuleba said.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and UNDP will also focus on the Ukrainian government's priorities of ensuring economic growth, enhancing the governance system's sustainability, and promoting social cohesion in Ukrainian society, he said.

The memorandum also implies engaging experts to implement a program for supporting the Foreign Ministry in maintaining critical communications, opposing disinformation, and digitalizing consular services for individuals.