Ukraine has officially opened its national pavilion at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, under the theme "Ukraine Is a Solution". For the fifth time, the country is presenting its own space at the international climate conference, highlighting practical solutions for decarbonisation, energy resilience and green recovery. The pavilion's programme features more than 70 events involving representatives of governments, international organisations, businesses, local communities and experts.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ukraine's Minister of Economy and Environment, Oleksandr Kravchenko, said the country's experience during Russia's full-scale invasion could help address global climate challenges. This idea forms the central concept of the Ukrainian pavilion.
"Ukraine has practical experience in developing solutions that are important for many countries today: decentralised energy systems, the introduction of green technologies and ecosystem restoration. Even during a full-scale war, we continue to implement climate reforms and work towards green recovery. The Ukrainian pavilion at COP31 provides a platform to present these solutions to international partners, attract investment and develop cooperation to put them into practice," Kravchenko said.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also emphasised the connection between environmental protection and national security.
"Our land also needs protection. For Ukraine, environmental protection is a matter of security," he said.
A significant part of the Ukrainian pavilion is dedicated to the environmental and climate consequences of Russia's aggression.
The exhibition includes thematic areas focusing on Ukraine's aquatic ecosystems, particularly the Black Sea, the environmental impact of the war and technologies supporting green reconstruction.
One of the pavilion's centrepieces is an interactive mosaic installation titled Tree of Life, inspired by a monumental artwork created in 1967 by a group of Ukrainian artists led by Alla Horska. The original work suffered extensive damage during Russian shelling in 2022. The new installation was created using fragments of bricks, tiles and glass recovered from Ukrainian buildings destroyed during the war. It consists of 51 mosaic pieces which, when assembled, form the outline of a map of Ukraine. During the opening ceremony, international guests, diplomats and delegation members contributed to the composition by placing individual pieces into the installation. The artwork symbolises recovery while demonstrating the potential for reusing construction materials in Ukraine's reconstruction.
The project was implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, with financial support from the Government of Japan and assistance from Ukraine's Ministry of Economy and Environment, in cooperation with the Alla Horska and Viktor Zaretsky Foundation and the Monument-ta studio.
The Ukrainian pavilion will remain open throughout the conference, until 20 November.
Its programme includes discussions, presentations and bilateral meetings addressing climate policy, green technologies, environmental restoration and the mobilisation of international financing.
The full programme of the Ukrainian pavilion is available on the official website, which also provides updates on COP31 news and events.
