Olga Zykova met with the UN Refugee Agency delegation

Today, December 12, Deputy Minister of Finance of Ukraine Olga Zykova met with the delegation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The mission was headed by the UNHCR Representative in Ukraine Karolina Lindholm Billing. The meeting was also attended by Special Advisor on Development at UNHCR Herve de Villeroche and Director of the Bureau for Europe of UNHCR Pascale Moreau.

The topics for discussion were the macro-financial situation in Ukraine, the 2023 state budget (in particular, social and humanitarian areas), assistance from international financial organizations and partner countries, and priority financing needs for Ukraine in the next year.

“Our main task is to return citizens home, providing them with all conditions for life. To date, the Government of Ukraine is doing everything necessary, continuing to work with unprecedented needs related to the consequences of the war. russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in massive human casualties, strained the economy, and forced millions of people from their homes. We are aware that due to the war, the number of Ukrainians who will need social support will unfortunately increase. Therefore, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, closely cooperates with the World Bank and international financial organizations on the implementation of effective mechanisms for social support of our citizens,” said Olga Zykova.

The Deputy Minister of Finance emphasized that social protection is one of the key priorities of the state budget next year. Financing of social expenditures in 2023 will increase by 12%, compared to 2022.

During the meeting, Olga Zykova noted that the longer the hostilities continue, the more severe the consequences of the war become. That is why Ukraine is counting on the joint efforts of the public and private sectors of partner countries, international organizations to ensure priority social needs and further reconstruction of the country.