Dr. Yelizaveta Chernysh, Associate Professor of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection Technologies, participated in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) 2024 Annual Forum

The 15th EUSBSR Annual Forum, organized in Visby, Sweden on 30-31 October, invited participants to engage, co-create, and network to reinforce and further develop cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region and beyond. All in all, the forum attracted 650 registered participants from 20 countries.

Policy Areas Nutri, Bioeconomy, Hazards and Ship jointly organised a workshop about Empowering sustainable rebuilding of Ukraine at the EUSBSR Annual Forum. 

In his opening speech Torfi Johannesson from PA Bioeconomy set the stage for a workshop focused on the sustainable rebuilding of Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of project development and networking to support Ukraine’s future.

Several Ukrainian speakers emphasized how Ukraine is active in seeking democratisation of organisations and alignment with EU regulations in the whole society and also in the environmental field. The speakers also brought up several needs for further cooperation and called for new partners to projects.

Yelizaveta Chernysh addressed the severe environmental challenges Ukraine faces, both pre-war and especially during the conflict. Pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss have all impacted ecosystems and water systems. Lack of energy has exacerbated these issues, making water purification and wastewater management difficult. Chernysh emphasized that environmental problems cross borders, affecting neighbouring countries as well. Loss of ecosystem services leads to declining of living standards, but also issues related to food security, energy security and biodiversity. She called for comprehensive data collection to assess the current status and risks and international cooperation with getting that done.

On stage and in the hallways at the EUSBSR Annual Forum, Ukraine was on everyone’s lips. The key stakeholders of the Strategy have sought ways to support Ukraine and to build connections. Cooperation and support on Ukrainian soil is a priority, but the invasion also has an impact on the Baltic Sea Region, starting from energy and transport investments and the questions regarding balancing foreign trade and self-sufficiency.

Furthermore, Yelizaveta Chernysh acknowledges the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) with funding from the European Union under the MSCA4Ukraine framework.

More information: https://eusbsr.eu/the-eusbsr-empowering-sustainable-rebuilding-of-ukraine/

19.11.2024

Location: auditorium 115, 1st floor, main building

Phone: +380 (542) 33-12-05

E-mail: [email protected]

Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection Technologies,

Sumy State University,

116, Kharkivska st.,

Sumy, Ukraine, 40007