Denys Uliutin and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset agree to deepen cooperation on the transformation of the Social Policy of Ukraine

The Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, Denys Uliutin, held a meeting with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset. The parties discussed, in particular, the development of the Social Code, the reform of the subsistence minimum, and the pension system, as well as support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and families with children.

The Minister informed the Secretary General about the preparation of the Concept of the Social Code of Ukraine, which is expected to consolidate around 100 legislative acts into a unified and coherent system structured by key types of social support.

“This is a comprehensive reset of Ukraine’s social system, which is especially important in wartime. Today, approximately 15 million people receive pensions and various types of social benefits. Therefore, this is not merely a technical reform, but a new social contract. Our task is to systematise the entire social policy framework and ensure that state support reaches those who truly need it,” said Denys Uliutin.

The parties also focused on the reform of the subsistence minimum, which aims to decouple this indicator from fines and public sector wage calculations, transforming it into a genuine social guarantee. The Minister noted that Ukraine, in cooperation with international partners, is developing a new model aligned with European approaches.

He further emphasised that work on pension reform is ongoing in parallel, based on international standards and data from the International Labour Organization. Among the Ministry’s other priorities are continued support for internally displaced persons and families with children.

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe reaffirmed the Organisation’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in implementing these reforms.

“We understand how difficult it is to coordinate such a large-scale system in wartime. The only way forward is to act transparently and simplify processes wherever possible. We stand by your side and are ready to strengthen our cooperation in the weeks, months, and years ahead. Despite all challenges, we remain fully committed to supporting Ukraine and advancing our shared priorities,” said Alain Berset.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue coordination in preparation for the new Action Plan and to work jointly on the implementation of European standards in the field of social policy in Ukraine.

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