Press Conference “What is the Future of the Ukrainian Carpathians?”
We invite you to a discussion entitled “What is the future of the Ukrainian Carpathians?”, where we will talk about threats, ways to protect them, and the role of civil society.
Date: 19 September, 2025
Time: 2:30–4:00 p.m.
Location: Ukrinform
Today, Ukraine’s environmental policy is not only stagnating — it is sliding into dangerous regression. Nature is increasingly regarded merely as a source of raw materials. But this is a path to degradation and the loss of our European perspective.
The Ukrainian Carpathians are unique ecosystems that cover only a tiny fraction of the country’s territory, yet they are of immense value for biodiversity conservation. And right now, they are under threat:
- plans to build wind farms on high mountain ridges
- illegally issued construction permits
- destruction of landscapes and their replacement with industrial ones.
These areas are protected by international law, but this is often forgotten. The loss of the Carpathians will mean the loss of part of our identity and future.
Questions for Discussion
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Why is Ukraine backsliding on environmental protection, and how does this affect European integration?
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Is it possible to strike a balance between developing green energy and preserving the unique ecosystems of the Carpathians?
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What threats are posed by wind farm projects on mountain ridges?
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How can illegal construction be prevented, and how can compliance with international environmental law be ensured?
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What should be the long-term strategy for preserving the Carpathians for future generations?
Moderator: Hanna Hopko, Chair of the Board, ANTS – National Interests Advocacy Network.
Speakers
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Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze – Member of the Parliament of Ukraine (IX convocation), Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the European Union, former Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine.
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Yuliia Ovchynnykova – PhD in Biology, Chair of the Subcommittee on Forest Resources, Wildlife, Natural Landscapes, and the Nature Reserve Fund of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management.
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Olha Melen-Zabramna – Head of the Legal Department, NGO Environment. People. Law (EPL), online.
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Oksana Stankevych-Volosyanchuk – PhD in Biology, NGO Ecosphere, Associate Professor at the Department of Zoology, Uzhhorod National University, online.
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Iryna Fedoriv – Co-founder and leader of the civic initiative Holka.
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Daria Panova – Head of the ANTS Youth Club.