The Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, Oleksiy Sobolev, has signed an agreement aimed at enhancing international ecological cooperation at the UN headquarters in New York.

This information was reported by the Ministry of Economy.

According to the document, Ukraine has become part of a new international mechanism designed to protect ocean ecosystems and ensure sustainable use of marine resources in international waters.

Based on the Presidential Decree of Ukraine dated August 28, 2025, Oleksiy Sobolev was authorized to sign the document within the framework of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“This agreement represents another significant step towards Ukraine’s European future. We affirm that the preservation of oceans and seas is an integral part of our ecological integration within Europe and globally. Our geographical location on the Black and Azov Seas makes marine security and ecosystem protection critical for our country and region. Even amid war, we demonstrate our commitment to global ecology, facing climate challenges, and combating the environmental crimes of the aggressor,” emphasized Sobolev.

The document contributes to achieving the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which aims to conserve 30% of land and ocean areas by 2030, and aligns with the Paris Climate Agreement regarding discussions of Blue Carbon - the carbon absorbed by marine ecosystems.

This agreement also allows Ukraine to actively participate in shaping international maritime policy and draw attention to the negative impacts of Russia on the environment of Crimea and the Black Sea.

The Ocean Agreement was adopted in 2023 and is the third implementation agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Its primary goal is to establish unified global rules for biodiversity conservation across areas covering two-thirds of the World Ocean.

As of now, 140 countries have signed the agreement, with 54 signatories having ratified it in their national jurisdictions. All countries must complete the ratification process within 120 days from the signing, after which the agreement will enter into force.