Denys Uliutin and Matthias Schmale Agreed to Strengthen International Support for Social Reforms in Ukraine

The team of the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, led by Minister Denys Uliutin, held a meeting with Matthias Schmale the Assistant Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, as well as representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine.

The discussion focused on building a comprehensive system of social protection and humanitarian support — from immediate response measures to long-term reforms aimed at strengthening the targeting and efficiency of assistance for the most vulnerable groups of the population.

“Today, Ukraine is fighting not only for its freedom but also for the right of people to live with dignity. Thanks to the cooperation between the government and humanitarian organizations, we can build an integrated pathway for a person who has been forced to leave their home — from evacuation to full integration in the community. Our priority is to establish a fiscally sustainable system of social support that is both targeted and effective. We aim to make this process transparent and understandable for all those in crisis, especially for the most vulnerable groups. A crucial aspect of this effort is the creation of barrier-free environments. All of this forms the foundation of a fair, resilient, and people-centered system of social protection in Ukraine,” said Denys Uliutin.

The Minister added that the social system is not only about fiscal outlays but also an instrument for creating opportunities for people to be an integral part of the economy. He emphasized the importance of creating conditions that enable citizens to work and contribute to the development of society. That is why he stresses the importance of continuing dialogue and advancing reforms, particularly in the pension system.

From the UN’s perspective, the Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine emphasized the importance of aligning humanitarian assistance with the implementation of the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2025–2029, which focuses on four priority areas in Ukraine: human capital development, economic growth, environmental protection, and strengthening governance and state institutions. This framework is designed to contribute to achieving a just and lasting peace.

“A core principle guides our approach: every person has the right to support, regardless of their place of origin or current place of residence. If, for example, people from Donetsk continue to arrive, we are obliged to ensure they receive proper assistance. This is the right and people-centered approach. One of the key tasks, in our view, is providing support at the evacuation stage, followed by creating conditions for recovery and integration. Our primary commitment is to ensure that no one is left behind. But to make this principle work effectively, we need to work with the government to establish clear, effective, and mutually reinforcing mechanisms of focused, prioritised assistance,” summarized Matthias Schmale.

The parties reaffirmed their readiness to deepen cooperation in the identified areas. Special emphasis will be placed on international support for reforms in the fields of pension provision, employment, and the development of social services. These efforts aim to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience, enhance social protection for its citizens, and advance the country’s alignment with European Union standards.

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