STATEMENT BY
MR. ALAN E. GEORGE
MINISTER COUNSELLOR/POLITICAL COORDINATOR
Mr. President,
I thank you for convening this important meeting, at the request of Slovenia, Denmark, France, Greece, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom.
I also thank Assistant Secretary-Generals Miroslav Jenča and Ms. Joyce Msuya, for their comprehensive and sobering briefings.
We welcome the participation of the Representative of Ukraine in today’s meeting.
Mr. President,
The end of the conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine remains a complex but not insurmountable objective. Encouragingly, three rounds of talks in Istanbul between the parties have facilitated the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and detainees, as well as progress in the return of 339 Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation.
While a ceasefire agreement remains elusive, such confidence-building measures, alongside the reported intention to establish joint working groups to regularly address political, humanitarian, and military dimensions, offer signs of continued engagement through diplomatic channels. In this regard, I wish to make three key points:
First, Sierra Leone is deeply concerned by the indiscriminate use of long-range missiles and drones in densely populated areas, resulting in widespread civilian suffering and destruction of civilian infrastructure. According to the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), missile and drone attacks in June 2025 were tenfold higher than during the same period last year, causing extensive damage to energy, water, medical, and other vital civilian infrastructure.
Since the beginning of this year, approximately 6,754 civilians have reportedly lost their lives, including an alarming increase in casualties among children. Reports from UNICEF further indicate that about 70 percent of children in Ukraine, roughly 3.5 million, are facing severe material deprivation, including lack of access to food, clothing, heating, and education. For more than three years, the lives of these children have been shaped by fear, loss, and trauma, a situation that must not be normalized.
In this regard, we underscore the urgent need to sustain and strengthen humanitarian assistance to reach the estimated 12.7 million people currently in need across Ukraine.
Sierra Leone reiterates that the protection of civilians must be central to all military operations, with strict adherence to the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution, and call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Second, we urge the parties to the conflict to demonstrate political will and commit to structured negotiations aimed at achieving a sustainable resolution. Building on the progress made in Istanbul, we join others in encouraging high-level political dialogue to address substantive matters for a ceasefire and a lasting peace. We welcome reports of private engagements between the heads of the respective delegations and urge continued negotiations in good faith, with a focus on political and humanitarian priorities.
We commend the sustained efforts of the United States, European leaders, and other partners in support of a comprehensive ceasefire. In light of the deep human suffering caused by the conflict, we appeal to the parties to prioritize the well-being of their citizens and seize the opportunity to bring an end to hostilities.
Third and finally, the international community must begin to prepare for the post-conflict reconstruction and stabilization of Ukraine. The scale of devastation is immense, an estimated 139,000 square kilometers of territory are reportedly contaminated with landmines and explosive remnants of war, posing enduring threats to safety and livelihoods.
Short-term financial requirements for budgetary support, reconstruction, and humanitarian assistance have been estimated at approximately US$40 billion annually by the Kyiv School of Economics. According to the World Bank’s Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (February 2025), long-term reconstruction costs may amount to US$524 billion over the coming decade. The challenge ahead is significant.
We welcome international coordination mechanisms supporting Ukraine’s recovery, including the Multi-Donor Coordination Platform and the Ukraine Recovery Conference. The guiding principles outlined in the Lugano Declaration partnership, reform focus, transparency, democratic participation, inclusivity, and sustainability remain fundamental. We also note with appreciation the increased engagement of the private sector in the most recent Recovery Conference held in Rome, underscoring the crucial link between sustainable development and durable peace.
In conclusion, Mr. President, we reaffirm that only a comprehensive ceasefire and peace agreement will enable the Government and people of Ukraine, including over 10 million displaced persons, to begin the arduous process of recovery, healing, and rebuilding.
Sierra Leone reiterates its support for all efforts that seek to protect civilians, uphold international humanitarian law, and advance a just and lasting peace that respects the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and internationally recognized borders of Ukraine, while addressing the legitimate security concerns of all parties to the conflict.
I thank you.