Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and UNDP sign Memorandum of Understanding

June 4, 2020

Signatories will work together to enhance digital governance, ensure sustainable development in Ukraine

Photo credit: Anton Filonenko / Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine

Kyiv, 4 June 2020 – Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation and the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine (UNDP) have signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding aimed at cementing their partnership in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals for Ukraine based on principles of digital transformation equitable to all.

The memorandum was signed by Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Digital Transformation Mykhailo Federov and UNDP Resident Representative to Ukraine Dafina Gercheva during the presentation in Kyiv of a series of educational videos on personal data – an initiative that involved collaboration between the ministry and UNDP in Ukraine.

According to the memorandum text, UNDP and the ministry will work to ensure “sustained and inclusive economic growth, reducing inequality, building strong institutions and social development for Ukraine by introduction of novel and secure technologies and citizen-oriented institutions and processes in line with Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals at the national and local levels.”

The parties also agreed to “widen citizen access to non-discriminatory, transparent and equitable state services that are rendered through secure channels and propel Ukraine’s economic and social development.”

After signing the memorandum, Gercheva praised the progress the ministry has made towards implementing Ukraine’s national policy  for digital transformation.

“As we know, the policy is anchored in the ‘State in the Smartphone’ concept, and it is fully aligned with the Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals, and UNDP’s priorities”, she said.

“This memorandum lays the foundations for our continued work together.”

Federov said having UNDP as a strategic partner would spur the ministry on to creating yet more innovative products.

“This is just the beginning of our partnership,” he said. “Our plans for digital transformation and the speed of our work are well known.”

The memorandum is to be in effect for five years from the date of its signing, and can be extended on the agreement of the parties.

Background:

The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine was set up in August 2019 to promote the digitalization of democracy in Ukraine, with the aim of making more government services available online, some of them completely automatically.

The United Nations Development Programme is the development arm of the United Nations Organization. The agency has been active in Ukraine since 1993. It serves an integrating role in the UN Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme in Ukraine, combining the efforts of several UN sister agencies and international development agencies. It is also particularly active in Ukraine in the areas of democratic governance, energy efficiency, environmental protection and sustainable development.

Media enquires:

Yuliia Samus; UNDP in Ukraine Communication Officer: communications.ukraine@undp.org , +38 044 254 0035