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UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator, and Crisis Bureau Director Shoko Noda gave an exclusive interview to Interfax-Ukraine during her visit to Ukraine this September. As the country nears the third year of its full-scale invasion, Noda told of the pivotal role of UNDP in supporting Ukraine's recovery efforts, and the organization's focus on early recovery activities essential for helping Ukrainians rebuild their lives amidst ongoing war.

Text: Valerie Proshchenko, Maria Stupak

First of all, could you tell us about your visit to Ukraine, its goals, and, who you met with? What key messages and appeals did you hear from Ukrainian officials, and what is UNDP prioritizing now, as Ukraine approaches the third year of the full-scale invasion?

As well as meeting members of UNDP’s project teams in Ukraine, I met with several senior Ukrainian officials to discuss UNDP’s support for local and national recovery efforts. As the war in Ukraine continues, early recovery support is playing a critical role in helping Ukrainians get back on their feet. UNDP in Ukraine’s programmatic response since the full-scale war – in line with what government officials have told UNDP are their priorities – comprises five main areas of work: crisis response, maintaining public services, safe returns and infrastructure rehabilitation, inclusive economic growth, and maintaining social fabric and supporting civil society.

In a crisis, humanitarian support saves lives. But early recovery work is equally important – it enables people to restart their lives and support themselves.  Supporting small businesses, skills training for in-demand jobs, restoring the energy supply, and clearing mines and other explosive remnants of war