UWC holds Annual General Meeting, declares 2026 the Year of Global Ukrainian Unity

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) held its Annual General Meeting online on Oct. 25, bringing together 185 delegates and guests from 47 countries under the theme “United for Ukraine.”

The UWC President thanked all participants for their ongoing contributions and support.

“The UWC declares 2026 the Year of Global Ukrainian Unity — a time to strengthen solidarity among Ukrainians worldwide, affirm our national identity, and mobilise collective efforts for Ukraine’s victory, reconstruction, and the empowerment of Ukrainian communities globally,” said the UWC President.

The official program opened with Ukraine’s national anthem, followed by a prayer led by Bishop Stepan Sus, Head of the Pastoral Migration Department of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Participants honoured the memory of fallen Ukrainian heroes with a moment of silence.

Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sybiha, addressed the meeting, thanking the UWC for its cooperation with the ministry, particularly in advancing the legislation on multiple citizenship.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Head of the UGCC, expressed gratitude to the UWC for its dedicated service to the Ukrainian people and its steadfast commitment to the national idea.

Metropolitan Epiphanius, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), wished the UWC success in strengthening and expanding Ukrainian communities around the world and thanked it for its continued support for Ukraine and its defenders.

Iryna Kliuchkovska, Director of the International Institute of Education, Culture, and Diaspora Relations (IECDR), emphasized that the UWC’s Annual General Meeting demonstrates decades of consistent, dedicated work for the benefit of Ukraine.

The meeting, chaired by Mykola-Myroslav Petretskyi, UWC Vice President for Eastern Europe, approved the UWC President’s report, which reflected the organisation’s main work over the past year — including its contribution to supporting Ukraine’s Armed Forces, advocacy efforts, and the development of resilient Ukrainian communities worldwide.

Delegates adopted several key resolutions and an action plan for 2026, which was declared the Year of Global Ukrainian Unity.

The UWC called on all Ukrainian organisations worldwide to join the Congress and its global network, united around three core priorities: victory for Ukraine, Ukraine’s recovery, and a strong global Ukrainian community.

Next year’s goals include increasing military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, strengthening international political support, expanding global Ukrainian participation in Ukraine’s reconstruction, empowering diaspora and youth organisations, enhancing Ukraine’s visibility in global media, and increasing the overall effectiveness of Ukrainian national action abroad.

The UWC reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the Ukrainian people’s struggle for freedom, independence, and territorial integrity, and strongly condemned Russia’s ongoing armed aggression and the crimes committed by its political and military leadership.

It also reiterated that the global Ukrainian community — every Ukrainian, wherever they live — shares responsibility for Ukraine’s success in the war, its recovery, and the strengthening of its international standing.