Kyiv, 8 December 2023 — The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, in partnership with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine, have organized an All-Ukrainian educational and practical conference entitled “Initiatives for Recovery and Development: Regional and Local Aspects” in Kyiv.

The event brought together more than 160 key players in the field, including representatives of the government, local authorities, non-governmental organizations, the expert community, international partners, diplomatic institutions, United Nations agencies, and other actors.

During the first day of the conference, participants enriched their understanding of the topic through expert-led panel discussions on modern mechanisms and tools for local and regional recovery and development. The second day was dedicated to a series of interactive workshops and targeted discussions.

Throughout the event, noteworthy initiatives, programmes, and practices aimed at fostering the sustainable development of war-affected Ukraine were spotlighted. Moreover, the event sought to underscore the significance of implementing these approaches, emphasizing their relevance during both the war and the post-war period.

Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Executive Secretary of the Presidium of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine, highlighted the joint endeavours to rebuild Ukraine through cooperation. “As we gather for the all-Ukrainian conference on regional and local recovery and development, we must recognize the strength and resilience inherent in Ukrainian communities. This meeting marks not only a discussion but also an obligation to develop our country, in the spirit of cooperation and innovation,” he said. “I am grateful to our international partners for their support in these difficult times. It is also important to note that today we are the drivers of another initiative of the President and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities: Regional Offices for International Cooperation. These are centres of open dialogue and coordination between international partners, and have been working and expanding their expertise in all oblasts of Ukraine for more than six months.”

Henrik Huitfeldt, Head of the Local and Human Development Section at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, noted that the EU is committed to provide further support to Ukraine along its road to recovery. “This commitment includes comprehensive assistance for Ukraine's integration with the European Union, reforms, and reconstruction” he said. “Grounded in prior successful joint projects, the conference is intended to reinforce resilience and advance the early recovery of communities affected by Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.”

Christophoros Politis, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine, said there is a critical connection between reforms and recovery. “A bottom-up approach, addressing the unique needs of oblasts and communities, should be the foundation of the recovery process,” he said. “UNDP is committed to ensuring a transparent, inclusive and human-centric approach in this process. Our vision for Ukraine goes beyond just rebuilding; we aim to help the nation build back better. This involves not only restoring what was lost but also strengthening systems and institutions, enhancing capacities, and embedding resilience and sustainability at the core of all recovery initiatives.”

Background

The conference was organized by UNDP in Ukraine, in partnership with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine, in the framework of the “EU4Recovery – Empowering Communities in Ukraine” (EU4Recovery) project, with financial support from the European Union.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org