Ukrainian Association of South Africa has joined a G20 SOCIAL SUMMIT on the 18-20 November 2025 to bring the Thematic Area  of 3 Inclusive : Climate Justice, a Just Transition, and Energy Democracy.

The meeting was held to shape the narrative text and invite deliberations from a wide range of civil society, academia and experts that should be included in G20 SOCIAL SUMMIT. 

The Ukrainian Association of South Africa raised issues of nuclear safety and security based on the policy brief conducted by the South African and Ukrainian nuclear experts South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) Isabel Bosman, Olena Lapenko, DiXi Group and Dzvinka Kachur, UAZA ( full document available here: https://www.uaza.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/NuclearSafety_PolicyBrief.pdf ) 

Many countries falsely consider nuclear energy a solution to address climate change and much needed socio-economic development. Significant gaps in nuclear safety and security have become especially evident since the Russian occupation of peaceful nuclear facilities in March 2022. The implications of potential nuclear accidents are global; therefore, national authorities should not be permitted to unilaterally accept compromises in nuclear safety and security. Enforcing IAEA recommendations and increasing transparency and accountability of nuclear industry authorities and national regulations is essential for nuclear energy to be able to contribute to sustainable development without endangering human rights, environmental safety, or global peace.

UAZA promotes 3 recommendations to the G20 authorities: 

1) There is a need for binding international legislation that prohibits military attacks on and the occupation of civilian nuclear facilities.

2) In the event of a military attack or occupation, state authorities should not restrict access for monitoring missions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the affected facility.

3) The international community should openly condemn the complicity of Rosatom in cases of torture and other human rights violations, as this erodes nuclear safety and security for all.

The platform for expert collaborations was initiated in partnership with the Institute of Justice and Reconciliation, the The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, the Democratic Initiatives Foundation, Democratic Institute Foundation (DIF), and the Ukrainian Association of South Africa (UAZA).