Twenty-five years after the deadly accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the region around it is moving forward and residents are rebuilding their lives, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador and tennis star Maria Sharapova said Thursday.

UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Maria Sharapova [File photo]

In a video message marking the 25th anniversary of the accident, which occurred on 26 April 1986, Ms. Sharapova noted that "while the anniversary is filled with sadness, we also acknowledge that this is a time for hope as we move forward in building a better future for all those whose lives have been changed by this tragedy."

Ms. Sharapova, 24, stressed the need for solidarity with people still affected by the tragedy.

"There's still a long way to go to achieve the full recovery of the territories affected by Chernobyl," she said. "Affected communities in Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine continue rebuilding their self-reliance."

Ms. Sharapova's family left the area around Gomel in what is now Belarus in the wake of the accident, although her grandmother still lives there today.

"The area around Gomel is very close to my heart… It is an area that has suffered a lot, but I know it has a great potential."

The tennis star, who has won three Grand Slam singles titles during her career and was once the top-ranked player in the world, travelled to Belarus last July to visit post-Chernobyl projects supported by UNDP and her own charitable foundation.

Her message today follows the visit to the Chernobyl site earlier this week by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon – the first time a UN chief has travelled to the disaster zone.

Mr. Ban paid tribute to the many victims of the disaster and called for a "new chapter" in the areas still affected.

"Science has shown that normal life is fully possible for most people living in area affected by the Chernobyl disaster," he said. "What these areas need most is recovery and development: new jobs, fresh investment, the restoration of a sense of community."