On June 2, 2026, a major annual UNDP meeting on the Rule of Law and Human Rights, titled “Securing Development: Advancing Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Peace in a Fragmented World,” took place in New York. This global event brought together representatives of governments, international organizations, justice leaders, and civil society from around the world to discuss critical issues of security and development amid today’s crises.
The UNDP conference serves as a high-level forum for shaping global security strategies. And it was on this prestigious platform that Ukraine’s experience—particularly that of the Kherson region—was presented as one of the most effective examples of local solidarity and recovery.
High-Level Panel: The Global Dimension of Local Security
The main focus was on the first plenary session, titled “From Local Action to Long-Term Security: Building Sustainable Development Through People-Centered Security.”
The caliber of this discussion was underscored by the lineup of speakers. The panel brought together high-ranking officials and leading experts from various continents:
- Abubakarr Suleiman Jeng — National Security Advisor of the Republic of The Gambia;
- Carlos Benitez Verdun — UNDP Resident Representative in Guatemala;
- Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj — a well-known human rights activist and founder of an organization in Yemen;
- Yurii Antoshchuk — co-founder of the “Union” Foundation and coordinator of the network of Working Groups on Public Safety and Recovery in the Kherson region;
- Lisa Orrenius — Head of the Management Department at the Folke Bernadotte Academy (Sweden);
The panel was moderated by Valentin Wortelboer, Senior Specialist on the Rule of Law at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The presence of a Ukrainian representative among speakers of this caliber underscores the immense significance and innovative nature of our country’s experience.
.png)
Kherson Region Case: From Occupation to Frontline Dialogue
In his speech, Yurii Antoshchuk shared the unique experience of the Working Groups of Public Safety and Recovery network in the Kherson Region, which he has been coordinating since 2020.
During the occupation, the network helped the civilian population maintain safe access to information and communication. After the liberation of part of the region, the Working Groups became effective platforms for dialogue in frontline and deoccupied territories, uniting the efforts of local authorities, police, rescue services, and civil society.
The panel presented quite specific, tangible results from these groups' activities. Among them:
- Creation of safe spaces in local shelters.
- Rehabilitation of video surveillance systems (CCTV) in communities.
- Support for local fire brigades and the arrangement of safety classes in schools.
- Development of practical instructions for civilians, including guides on protection against Russian drones and internet security.
As the moderator of the session, Mr. Wortelboer, noted in response to Yurii Antoshchuk’s speech: “The working groups are not only engaged in restoring physical infrastructure. Their main merit is rebuilding the social fabric on the ground, attracting strong public support and strengthening trust in local administrations.”
Why Working Groups are so important for the Kherson region
The discussion at the UN conference clearly demonstrated that the Working Groups on Public Safety and Recovery are working exceptionally effectively in the Kherson region.
This mechanism allows you to quickly move from identifying local problems to finding specific solutions. The Working Groups model has proven its ability to deliver real benefits to people's safety, even under the most difficult war conditions, as evidenced by the high percentage of local residents who have experienced these positive changes.
World experts have agreed that such initiatives have enormous potential for Ukraine's long-term recovery. However, further funding and strengthening of local capacities remain critical to expanding this successful format and maintaining its effectiveness. Long-term trust and security are built at the local level, in close cooperation with the community.
You can watch the conference in the recording. Yurii Antoshchuk's speech begins at 02:41:11.
.png)
