Kyiv, 18 April 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and Ukraine’s new Ministry of National Unity have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on enhancing their cooperation in shaping and implementing policies related to national unity, the development of civic identity, strategic communications, and countering disinformation. 

The partnership between UNDP and the newly established ministry aims to strengthen social cohesion, transparency, and citizen engagement in decision-making processes across Ukraine.

The Memorandum outlines several key areas of cooperation:

• Development and implementation of joint initiatives, including digital tools aimed at enhancing national unity and public dialogue.
• Conducting joint research and providing expert support to the Ministry in the development and implementation of national unity policy.
• Designing strategic communications and information campaigns focused on countering disinformation, supporting social cohesion, and encouraging public dialogue.
• Strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ministry in strategic communications, countering disinformation, strategic planning, transparency, and citizen engagement.
• Supporting conditions for the voluntary return of Ukrainians who went abroad, researching public sentiment, monitoring the impact of national unity policies, and exchanging international best practices.

Oleksii Chernyshov, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for National Unity of Ukraine, emphasized the importance of the partnership with UNDP:

"The Ministry of National Unity of Ukraine continues to work on shaping policies that unite Ukrainian society and maintain connections with our citizens around the world. We are sincerely grateful to UNDP in Ukraine for their readiness to support us in implementing initiatives of critical importance for the country. The implementation of joint projects will contribute to strengthening the unity of Ukrainians."

Jaco Cilliers, UNDP in Ukraine Resident Representative, said that signing the Memorandum was an important step toward realizing UNDP’s and the ministry’s shared vision of a cohesive Ukraine built on dialogue, transparency, and mutual respect. 

“We welcome the establishment of the Ministry of National Unity — a timely and strategic move, especially during wartime,” Cilliers said. “UNDP stands ready to continue supporting the Government of Ukraine — from strengthening national and civic identity, strategic communications, and countering disinformation, to creating conditions for the voluntary return of Ukrainians abroad. We’re proud to stand by Ukraine during these critical times and will do everything we can to support unity, cohesion, and recovery.”

Background

According to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1366, dated 3 December 2024, the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories has been renamed as the Ministry of National Unity of Ukraine. According to the latest figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), almost 7 million Ukrainian refugees currently live abroad. The majority of them, some 6.3 million, are in Europe. The government is working on creating conditions to facilitate their return or to maintain strong ties with Ukraine for the country's development.

Media inquiries

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Communications Team Leader, yuliia.samus@undp.org