On September 21, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha took part in the signing ceremony of the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel and honored the memory of humanitarian workers.

The document, initiated by Australia, draws attention to the urgent need to strengthen the protection of humanitarian workers- rescuers, paramedics, volunteers, and all those who risk their lives to help others.

“The issue of protecting humanitarian personnel is extremely important for Ukraine. Since 2022, targeted attacks by Russia have claimed the lives of more than 100 humanitarian workers in Ukraine, including our heroic rescuers and members of international humanitarian organizations,” Andrii Sybiha emphasized during the ceremony.

The adoption of this Declaration is closely linked to the record increase in casualties among humanitarian personnel in 2023–2024 and aims to reinforce international cooperation in addressing this tendency. The Declaration is also a logical continuation of the thematic resolution of the UN Security Council 2730 (2024), adopted on May 24, 2024.

Ukraine expresses its gratitude to Australia for this important initiative and reaffirms its commitment to the practical implementation of the Declaration’s provisions.