From 21 to 22 October 2009, UN System Agencies presented information materials about their recent research, projects and experiences at an information fair at the Verhovna Rada of Ukraine. The UN information office in Kyiv, UNAIDS, UNDP, Office of the World Bank in Ukraine, United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) granted more than 70 publications to distribute among the members of parliament, their assistants and personnel of Apparatus of Verhovna Rada of Ukraine. During the Informational Fair more than 500 books and brochures were distributed by the UN representatives, and around 200 copies were given to the Parliamentary Library.

UN system representatives in Ukraine gave lectures dedicated to the UN day at four Universities and two schools in Kyiv. UN experts presented students the various aspects of the UN activities globally and in Ukraine. Students learned actual facts and figures on the Millennium Development Goals, especially those adopted by Ukraine. The recent Human Development Report was also presented to students.

On 23 October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine hosted Model UN - simulation of work of the UN Security Council. The Model UN for the first time was conducted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The participants – students of Kiev Institute of International Relations and other higher educational institutions of Ukraine discussed the issue of combating piracy and drafted a resolution with a number of proposals for concrete steps to address piracy.

On 19 August 2009 World Humanitarian Day was observed for the first time worldwide, including Ukraine. The Day was established by the General Assembly (GA) of the United Nations in December 2008 and designated to increase public understanding of humanitarian assistance activities worldwide. Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Press-Club meeting was organized in Ukraine to observe the Day. Ukraine’s and relevant Ministries’ role and perspectives in the providing humanitarian assistance to different countries were the theme of the discussion. Representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affaires and Ministry of Emergency Situations of Ukraine, Ukrainian Red Cross Society and UN Representative Office, and the United Nations Office (UNO) in Kyiv took part in the meeting. Acting Coordinator of the United Nations System in Ukraine, regional representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Belarus , Moldova and Ukraine Simone Wolken thanked President, Government and people of Ukraine for active participation in the humanitarian operations. As Ruslan Biloshytskyi, Chief of Tenders Procedures Department, Humanitarian Assistance and Realization of Material – technical supply of the Ministry of Emergency Situation, said, - “Since 1999, Ministry of Emergency Situations together with other executive Governmental Bodies in cooperation with Ukraine’s Red Cross implemented 33 Governmental Decrees on humanitarian aid in 27 countries, which needed emergency relief. For many times Medical and rescue services of the Ministry were engaged into humanitarian operations. The Ministry’s rescue service together with mobile hospital, Ministry of Health and Red Cross Societies in Ukraine worked on the liquidation of earthquake consequences in Turkey (1999), India (2001), Iran (2003) and Pakistan (2005). For the period mentioned above, suffering countries received near 4 thousands of humanitarian goods. The general amount of resources provided is 388 millions of UAH; the sum was equivalent to 77 millions of US dollars. Only through the last year Ministry of Emergency Situations provided humanitarian aid to 9 countries in need, namely: Palestinian National Autonomy, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Cuba, Moldova, Tadzhikistan,  Georgia, Union of Myanmar, People’s republic of China and Kyrgyz Republic”. Delivering the speech, Simone Wolken admitted that UN highly appreciates Ukraine ’s contribution into peacekeeping operations and stability and human rights protection worldwide. For 17 years of Ukraine’s participation in peacekeeping missions under the UN aegis more than 33 thousands of military personnel of Ukraine participated in re-establishing peace and stability in conflict regions. Today, more than 550 Ukrainians continue to serve and fulfill their duties in 9 Peacekeeping Missions of UN, OSCE and NATO in 8 countries. Ms. Wolken paid tribute to 47 decedent Ukrainian peacekeepers that lost lives during the humanitarian service. Also humanitarian aid received by Ukraine in times of emergency situations was discussed. As Valeriy Sergovskyi, deputy Director of Red Cross Society in Ukraine, mentioned that Ukraine received five million US dollars through the Red Cross in the first months after the explosion at Chernobyl atomic station. “There is an increase in the number of natural disasters every year. Thus, spreading information about possible natural disasters among local population was one of the Red Cross priorities. For example, West of Ukraine underwent floods and powerful storms, East suffered from man-caused disasters, coal-mines explosions, etc. Last year together with Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the Red Cross Society in Ukraine formed special working commission in order to improve laws concerning humanitarian aid conveyance. They strived to implement international norms of humanitarian goods delivering in Ukraine”. Answering journalists’ questions, participants of the meeting reported on the main global challenges in humanitarian sphere. Overall number of people suffered from the natural disasters had increased for the last ten years. On average, 211 millions of people undergo through natural cataclysms every year, five-fold – through armed conflicts. Children and women were the most vulnerable groups; poverty, hunger, health and environmental problems were not new to them. There was an increase of requests for humanitarian help due to the economic crisis and other global problems such as growth of world population, global pandemics, lack of provisions and water, prices and migration rate increment.  In 2009 humanitarian society, formed by the UN special agencies, civic organizations, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has appealed to national governments to provide 8.6 millions for humanitarian aid. This is the minimum budget to bring emergency relief to more than 30 millions of people in need in 30 countries.

On 12 June 2008, the Country Team of the UN Office (UNO) in Ukraine conducted a UN Blood Drive on the eve of World Blood Donor Day which is commemorated annually worldwide on 14 June. To promote unpaid blood donation and to support the global movement encouraging regular blood donations, UN staff members decided to donate their blood in the Kyiv city hospital.

It was the first time a UN blood drive was organized by staff of the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the World Bank.

“It is crucially important for Ukraine to advance its blood transfusion system to ensure regular, safe and sustainable blood supply”, stated the Head of the WHO country office in Ukraine. “The blood donation approach and the legislation have to be changed in Ukraine to unpaid ones”. “We, representing UN international and local staff in Ukraine, want to show the example today how easily each of us could help save the life and improve health of many people”, said the World Bank representative. “I believe it’s important that the voluntary, unpaid blood donation become part of our culture in Ukraine – that’s why I’ve joined this action today”, noted the UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine.

Millions of people owe their lives to people they will never meet – people who donate their blood freely and without any reward. In spite of advancements in medical and surgical procedures, there is still a great need for blood. Just 400 millilitre of donated blood can help save as many as three people’s lives. The blood donated by the UN staff this day will be given to the patients of the Kyiv hospitals in the treatment of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and other diseases.

On 5 June 2008 the UN Office (UNO) in Kyiv hosted an award ceremony of the all-Ukrainian photo competition "Climate Change: Addressing Climate change - Caring for Your Planet". Over 980 Ukrainians submitted their photos taken in 45 countries. The photo contest was conducted in Ukraine for the first time. It was organized by the United Nations' Office in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and with support of Olympus.