International Cooperation

The Ministry of Social Policy has active interaction with the international organizations, partnering states and non-governmental organizations to exchange experience, knowledge and resources. It helps introduce modern approaches into social protection.

The Ukrainian foreign policy is aimed at enhancing and developing the state as an independent democratic unit, with the focus on territorial integrity and inviolability of its borders. The key priorities are to integrate the national economy into the global economic system and to create the image of Ukraine as a reliable and predictable partner on the international arena.

The Ministry of Social Policy Ukraine concentrates its efforts on international cooperation in accordance with the international standards for human rights. The key directions are supporting the principle of inseparability of international peace and security, recognising the general human values and common standards of international law, which prevail over the domestic legislation. The Ministry actively condemns the double standard policy in international relations and strives to ensure justice and equality in interaction with the other countries.

All the stakeholders that wish to implement common projects for the benefit of the Ukrainian people are invited to cooperation.

International Projects

The Ministry implements various projects as a part of international cooperation that promote development of the social infrastructure and improvement of the quality of social services.

World Bank Projects

Project “Modernising the System for Social Support of the Population of Ukraine”

The Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine supported by the World Bank is implementing the project “Modernising the System for Social Support of the Population of Ukraine”, which is aimed at improving the social sphere and increasing the level of social protection of the most vulnerable categories of citizens. The principal purpose of the project is to reduce poverty and optimise social payments and services.

On 4 August 2023, the Ukrainian Government adopted the resolution that provided for the implementation of the experimental project of procurement at the expense of the World Bank via the Prozorro electronic system. This approach is directed at saving funds, increasing transparency and efficiency of procurement as well as establishing the bidding expertise centre in accordance with the international standards.

Also, in cooperation with the World Bank, the Ministry of Social Policy is implementing INSPIRE project aimed at financing of key social payments for the most vulnerable population groups as well as supporting the most important social protection reforms. The main purpose is to ensure sustainability of social allocations, to increase their targeted nature and efficiency by introducing innovation approaches.

Collaborating with the UN

Ukraine gives priority to cooperation with the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) as it is considered to be an important contribution into international stability, security and spread of democratic standards all over the world.

By supporting the priority of human rights development within the framework of the UN, Ukraine stood to the initiative Secretary-General of the UN Kofi Annan to establish the United Nations Human Rights Council, which replaced the Commission of Human Rights, from the very start. Ukraine joined the HRC in 2006, and was re-elected for the second term in 2008, until 2011. Ukraine has been cooperating with the HRC as an observer since June 2011.

Election of Ukraine to the Council acknowledged its achievements in democratic development and enhancement of its international reputation. While cooperating with the mechanism of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Ukraine completed the first procedure in 2008 and prepared the interim National Report in 2010, with the second cycle successfully completed in 2012.

Membership with the HRC is an important tool of Ukraine’s foreign policy that demonstrates its dedication to the principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its readiness for active international activities. This cooperation enables Ukraine to explain its stance on human rights and to adapt the standards to the Europeans ones, thus facilitating European integration.

Since 2010, Ukraine has been regularly promoting the initiative of prevention of violation of human rights in the HRC. In 2023, the 24th session of the Council adopted the third resolution “The role of prevention in the promotion and protection of human rights”, which encouraged international dialogue and facilitated creation of efficient mechanisms for preventing violation of human rights.

At the 26th session of the HRC on 27 June 2014, the Resolution “Cooperation and assistance to Ukraine in the field of human rights” based on assessment of the human rights defence situation in Ukraine, especially in Crimea and in the east. The document confirms that Ukraine is supported by the international UN human rights defence mechanisms and condemns violation of human rights in the occupied territories.

Ukraine is a party to all the key international and legal UN documents in the field of human rights, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention against Torture etc.

Our country cooperates with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights actively and supports the activities aimed at enhancing the role and efficiency of coordination of human rights defence activities of the UN.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has been working in Ukraine since March 2014 by the invitation of the Government, and it regularly reports on human rights, in particular, in Crimea and in the east of Ukraine. The Mission also grants Ukraine counselling and technical assistance to improve the national system for human rights protection, and to develop the National Human Rights Strategy and the corresponding action plan.

Міжнародний саміт Міністрів соціальної політики

The event is an important platform to enhance international cooperation and engage new partners in order to reach common goals in the field of social development and protection.

The Summit is now focused on developing the solutions that help improving living standards of citizens.

The main news and latest updates on international meetings, official visits and cooperation of the team of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine are posted in the official account of the Ministry on X platform. If you want to be informed of the latest events in the field of international cooperation of the Ministry of Social Policy, follow the link.