UNECE Inland Transport Committee - Joint declaration

Madam Chair, Madam Executive Secretary,

I am delivering this statement on behalf of Ukraine, the European Union and its Member States, the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Norway.

We recognize the urgency and importance of taking action on climate change and the destabilizing effect of global warming to natural systems and decarbonization of inland transport must be one of the element of such action.

At the same time, in a few days, on 24th February we will mark two years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

It is important to remind that the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe adopted during its latest biennial meeting on 18-19 April 2023 Resolution ECE/2023/L.1/Rev.1 regarding the Economic and Social Effects of Russia’s Aggression Against Ukraine.

In the face of continued Russian attacks against Ukraine’s civil and critical infrastructure, it is important to recognize their effect also in the area of transport, be it by road, rail or ships. These are precisely the topics that the Inland Transport Committee is supposed to discuss this week.

Therefore, we reiterate our resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression.

We demand the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

We stand united in the face of Russian aggression. We are steadfast in our unwavering support for Ukraine and its people to succeed. And we will do everything we can to ensure that happens.

I thank you.