Sybiga announced the reform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - what has changed.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiga announced the approval of a new structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which began operating on July 7. According to him, this reorganization meets the needs of a country at war and is based on global diplomatic standards.

This was announced by Andrii Sybiga on Facebook.

Why the work of the MFA of Ukraine was reformed

The new structure was approved at the first meeting of the MFA Board, which was resumed after a long break.

'We are implementing these changes step by step, from simplifying access to consular services to digitalization and the transformation of internal processes, encouraging youth and increasing motivation. Today I am pleased to announce that after a long preparatory work we have resumed the practice of holding the Board and at its first meeting approved a new structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. This is the structure of a modern, strong, and progressive foreign policy agency of a European state. But it is also the structure of the MFA of a country at war. A country that is fighting for its life, freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,' said Sybiga.

What will change in the work of the MFA of Ukraine

A Department of International Security and Defense of Ukraine will be created at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, replacing outdated units related to disarmament.

The regional departments will also be divided geographically: two European, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Africa, while the management of the USA and Canada will be independent. A functional distribution of deputy ministers by areas has also been carried out.

A unit for unfriendly countries will also be established at the MFA, which will be responsible for policy towards aggressor countries.

A NATO office will appear at the MFA of Ukraine

In addition, separate structures will be created for working with Central Asia, sanctions, cooperation with NATO, the Ukrainian diaspora, and humanitarian policy.

'We are also creating a separate NATO office within the MFA. This is evidence of the priority of our path to joining the Alliance. Previously, integration into the EU and NATO was combined into one department 'DEN'. Now we will have a department for the European Union and a separate NATO office. The NATO office will give new momentum to our integration towards full membership in the Alliance,' emphasized Sybiga.

Significant attention will also be paid to the international legal responsibility of Russia — a new department will be responsible for this.

A new institute will emerge based on the MFA

The Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine will be granted the status of a full-fledged institution of higher education, and the Ukrainian Institute will strengthen its role in the MFA system.

Innovative divisions will also be created: a cyber diplomacy department and a sector for innovations and artificial intelligence. The Soviet system of territorial 'TD' with digital codes will also be abolished.

The Minister emphasized that the new structure will allow for more effective distribution of functions and resources, ensuring quality diplomatic work in all directions and responding to the challenges of wartime.

'All these decisions are the result of detailed and systematic work. They meet the needs of a country at war. This is an effective distribution of functions, clear distribution of resources, and the elevation of the structure to the best world practices. I am grateful to my team for preparing these important changes. Ukrainian wartime diplomacy will have support in a new and effective structure to achieve results for the country,' explained the head of the MFA.

After a long preparatory period, a new structure was approved at the MFA of Ukraine that meets modern diplomatic requirements and the needs of the country during wartime. New units and departments will be aimed at improving the effectiveness and quality of diplomatic activities, as well as strengthening Ukraine's position on the world stage.