First issue. In the lead-up to International Ecology and Peace Forum

The first meeting of the local organizing committee on the preparation of the International Ecology and Peace Forum took place on February 13, 2024. This Forum, scheduled for May 15-16, is a combination of the competition of startup projects on humanitarian demining – a section of the 13th All-Ukrainian Festival of Innovative Projects, Sikorsky Challenge 2024 – and the International Ecology and Peace Forum, organized by the Ukrainian Peace Council, International Council on Environmental Safety, and Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.

The purpose of the Forum:

To unite the public, scientists, and educators with government agencies and bodies of local self-government in activities that align with the eighth point of the Ukrainian Peace Formula: prevention of ecocide.

Organizers of the Forum include:

– Ukrainian Peace Council

– Council on Environmental Safety

– Sikorsky Challenge Ukraine.

Co-organizers of the Forum:

– Ukrainian Chamber of Industry and Commerce

– NGO Ukrainian Alliance

– Sponsors, partners, information sponsors.

Key points of the Concept of International Ecology and Peace Forum:

"The purpose of the International Ecology and Peace Forum is to unite the public, scientists, and educators together with government agencies and bodies of local self-government to implement the eighth point of the Ukrainian Peace Formula: prevention of ecocide.

The prolonged military operations on Ukrainian territory over the past decade have had a profound environmental impact. This problem became particularly acute with the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The consequences of aggression and terrorist acts committed by invaders are the plotted and targeted acts of ecocide.

Clause 38 of the Declaration of the UN Conference (Sweden, June 2-3, 2022) "Stockholm+50: A healthy planet for the prosperity of all – our responsibility, our opportunity" states:

"We reaffirm, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the need to respect the territorial integrity and political independence of States.

Spiraling conflict, violent extremism, terrorism and related humanitarian crises and forced displacement of people threaten to reverse much of the development progress made in recent decades.

The key is peace. There can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development.

Since the landmark 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, the issue of the environment has been placed within the framework of sustainable development. All of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will stimulate action in the areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet, which have some connection to the environment. The SDGs with a direct connection to the environment are Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 14 (Life Below Water), and Goal 15 (Life on Land).

The widespread use of landmines and shells has caused land degradation, loss of biodiversity and serious limitations on the agricultural productivity. This has led to limited access to land, roads, and water supply, emerging as one of the most pressing social, economic and environmental problems."

Given this challenging time and the requirements of the international community, the dominant theme of the Forum is the humanitarian demining of Ukrainian land, restoration of infrastructure and the environment, with a focus on energy and environmental security.

When: 15-16 May, 2024

Where: Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, 37 Beresteiskiy Avenue, Kyiv

The Forum will be held in a hybrid format allowing for both in-person and online participation.

Main Forum events:

– Opening ceremony.

– Presentations of startup projects.

– Thematic panel discussions.

– Exhibition showcasing startup projects and engineering developments in the environmental field.

– Exhibition of paintings by the international art community titled "Ukrainian Beauty".

Sections:

Section 1: Humanitarian demining of Ukrainian lands.

Section 2: Restoration of Ukraine's infrastructure.

Section 3: Energy and environmental security.