Government approves National Strategy for Barrier-Free Environment

"The Cabinet of Ministers approved the National Strategy for Barrier-Free Environment in Ukraine until 2030," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal posted on Telegram after the Cabinet’s meeting.

He added that the Council for Barrier-Free Environment in Ukraine was established to monitor and control the implementation of the National Strategy at the suggestion of First Lady Olena Zelenska.

"I would like to thank Mrs. Olena Zelenska, who raised the problem of barriers and brought together a wide range of experts, civil society representatives and authorities to build a barrier-free environment in Ukraine," the Prime Minister wrote.

He stressed that a barrier-free environment as a new social norm is a bridge that will further connect Ukraine with progressive European countries, where the principle of equal rights and opportunities is at the heart of all state decisions.

As reported, Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska suggested establishing the Council for Barrier-Free Environment in Ukraine. According to her, for all the proposals to eliminate barriers to be fulfilled, an effective body is needed to monitor and control the progress of implementation of the Strategy.

Ukraine received the official status of a member of the Biarritz Partnership – an international initiative promoting equal rights and opportunities – in September 2020. Ukraine’s accession to the Partnership was initiated by the First Lady of Ukraine in December 2019.

ol