Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry responds to Crimea’s participation in World Urban Forum

"We emphasize that the participation of representatives of the Russian occupation administration in events organized or held under the auspices of international organizations, particularly those within the UN system, constitutes a blatant violation of international law and several resolutions of the UN General Assembly, including Resolution 68/262 Territorial Integrity of Ukraine," the statement reads.

The Ministry noted that Russia, in its efforts to legitimize the illegal occupation of Ukrainian territories, seeks to exploit both international platforms and the territories of sovereign states. In this case, Egypt is consciously provoking tension, including at the bilateral relations level.

Despite repeated Ukrainian requests, UN-Habitat failed to ensure proper oversight and establish a clear participant registration mechanism for WUF12, thereby "allowing criminals to participate in the event and jeopardizing the reputation of this important forum."

In conclusion, the Ministry called on the UN Secretary-General and the leadership of UN-Habitat to take immediate action to stop the use of the WUF12 platform and UN-Habitat to legitimize Russia's temporary occupation of Ukrainian territories, as well as to prevent the spread of propaganda and lies by the Russian occupation administration.

"We are convinced that those responsible for such criminal negligence and for allowing representatives of the Russian occupation administration to participate in WUF12, thereby demonstrating disrespect for the goals and principles of the UN Charter, can no longer be trusted by UN member states and therefore should no longer be allowed to work in UN-Habitat or any other UN system bodies," the Ministry added.