The Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Ruslan Strylets, emphasized that the creation of NJSC "Water of Ukraine" will contribute to the implementation of open and effective monitoring of the state of water resources and control over their use.
According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, 2023 turned out to be an extremely difficult year for the water sector, due to a man-made disaster - the collapse of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station dam. The country faced the largest man-made crisis since World War II. The loss of a significant volume of water from the reservoir led to serious problems equivalent to water needs for 1.5 years ahead. Sustainable use of water resources and ensuring the “good” state of waters are critical aspects of national security. The Minister emphasized the need to balance the use of water resources and ensure access to water for all citizens in the context of a military budget.
It is also reported that the first water user organization in Ukraine has acquired ownership of irrigation systems, in particular, the engineering networks of the Suvorov Irrigation System in the Odessa region. The Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution on amendments to the Procedure for Using Funds in the State Budget to Support Agricultural Producers and Water User Organizations.
Additionally, the President of Ukraine signed a law regulating water user organizations and promoting hydrotechnical land reclamation. This law was approved by the parliament in February 2022 after more than two years of development, discussion and adoption. The restoration of irrigation is expected to ensure sustainable development of the agricultural sector in the southern region and the realization of the agricultural potential of the entire country.
