At the state level, we actually have a base of strategic documents with a clear vision of where the country should move and what key indicators we need to achieve in waste management issues, said Hennadii Zubko, Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine, at the meeting of the Coordination Council on implementation of the National Waste Management Strategy in Ukraine by 2030.

In particular, among the adopted strategic documents, the official named the National Waste Management Strategy by 2030 and the framework law “On Waste Management” to be soon submitted by the Government to the Parliament.

“This plan will not work independently, if it is not supplemented by regional plans. They are the key element to build a waste management system across the country. And everyone should clearly understand that regional plan is not just a plan for some waste management measures. It is a long-term regional route map, which should involve all key actors – municipalities, business entities and investors,” noted Hennadii Zubko.

The Vice Prime Minister is convinced that the waste management sector can give an impetus to the development of small and medium-sized business in the regions. “The regional waste management plan is, in fact, a plan for attracting investment, market and business development in the oblast. And absolutely all participants – local self-government, hromadas, business representatives, potential investors, international partners and representatives of IFIs, as well as the Regional Development Agencies – should be involved in elaboration of such regional plans,” Hennadii Zubko emphasised.

He noted that the hromadas have now intensified their activity towards concluding intermunicipal agreements. To date, 975 hromadas have signed 381 agreements, of which 30% relate to waste management. And this tool must necessarily be taken into account when drawing up regional plans.

As it was previously informed, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources approved Methodological Guidelines for the development of waste management plans