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P.G. Kostyuk,
Member of the Academy Presidium

        Over the period under review, research efforts were aimed at practical implementation of decisions of UN Rio Conference (June 1992), XIX UN General Assembly Special Session (June 1997), as well as the NAS Presidium Resolution of April 15,1996 'On scientific basis for sustainable development of Ukraine'. In the course of the research, special attention was given to elaborating the scientific basis of the national strategy and philosophy of environment preservation and sustainable development, system study of the processes, forecasting and integrated estimates of environmental changes under the impact of anthropogenic factors. Fundamentals of rationalizing biodiversity and landscape ecosystems for long-term sustainable development were elaborated. Studies were carried out to substantiate the principles of managing biological reserves as the sites of harmonizing human interaction with the environment, to develop and improve the national network of biosphere reserves. Scientific back-up to measures concerning development of the national environmental network of Ukraine for 2001-2005 and implementation of the National program for toxic waste handling (2000-2005) was provided, as well as that to the State programme for recycling industrial and utility wastes.
        Research results regarding the solution of the abovementioned problems were discussed at 3 workshops with the participation of leading Ukrainian specialists and were partly incorporated into three volumes of proceedings "Problems of Sustainable Development of Ukraine", published in 1998 and 2001. The latest publication was dedicated to the 10-th Anniversary of UN Rio Conference. The proceedings were sent to UNESCO, central and regional state power bodies, educational and research institutions. The editions discussed social, economic, natural, technical and technological aspects of sustainable development of Ukraine.
        Ukrainian scientists did a considerable amount of work towards investigating natural and technogenic origins and characters of floods that occurred in the Zakarpatska oblast in November 1998 and March 2001. Its results formed the basis of respective expert conclusion prepared and submitted to the President of Ukraine, Cabinet of Ministers and relevant ministries and institutions. In particular, main causes of the disaster were analysed and measures aimed at pre venting and forestalling such catastrophic floods in Zakarpattya in the future were outlined.
        An expert evaluation concerning the construction of the Danube-Black Sea shipping waterway within the Ukrainian part of the Danube delta, prepared by NAS scientists, was submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers. It emphasized that the option proposed by the Ministry of Transport, allowing for the building of the canal across the absolutely protected area of the NAS Danube Biosphere Reserve (the Bystra estuary), was in conflict with the Ukrainian law and relevant UNESCO documents. So, to provide a temporary route for cargo ships, NAS scientists suggested to clear the connecting canal of the Ust-Dunaisky port and build a shut there, and afterwards develop a detailed project of the alternative shipping canal via Lisky village and the Zhebriyanivska bay.
        The NAS proposals on the necessity of discussing alternative projects of the construction in question were highly appraised by Ukraine President L.Kuchma.
Activities towards setting up a R&D facility pool under NAS and the Donetsk Oblast State Administration 'Preservation of Environment and Sustainable Development of Donbas' were started.
        In the sphere of international collaboration, research efforts were aimed at further development of the national network of biosphere reserves.
In this context, the Ukrainian National Committee for 'Man and Biosphere' UNESCO program, jointly with the counterpart Polish committee, prepared and sent to the UNESCO Secretariat coordinated conclusions concerning organizing a Polish-Ukrainian transborder biosphere reserve 'Western Polissya'.
        Proposals were prepared to organize the following trans-border UNESCO biosphere reserves: 'Roztochia' (Poland/Ukraine), The Marmarosh Mountains' (Romania/Ukraine) and 'Bryansko-Starohutski forests' biosphere reserve in the Desna basin (Russia/Ukraine).
        Elaboration of scientific principles of the National strategy of sustainable development of Ukraine, as formulated by the XIX Special Session of UN General Assembly (June 1997), will be a major task of Ukrainian scientists in the near future.