Kyiv, 17 April 2025 — The International Cohesion Forum “Shaping the Future,” focusing on national and international support for the recovery and development of Ukrainian communities, has been held in Kyiv. The forum was organised by the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and with funding from the Government of Japan.

The event brought together representatives of the government, international organisations, local communities, as well as experts in the fields of recovery, investment, and community development.

Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for the Recovery of Ukraine and Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, emphasised during the opening of the event that the key to Ukraine’s resilience lies in its people and communities: “Those who live and work near the front line are facing the greatest challenges,” Kuleba noted. “In such communities, there is no such thing as a ‘quiet day.’ That is why the Government has decided to provide systematic financial support specifically for these areas. Last week it was UAH 1.5 billion. Yesterday – an additional UAH 1.8 billion. On average, this amounts to about UAH 10 million per community. These funds will go toward shelters, specialized equipment, and the restoration of critical infrastructure – the essentials needed to save lives. Ukraine has the support of over 100 countries around the world. We are grateful to every partner for their political decisions, humanitarian aid, and security and economic programmes.”

Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, underlined that the path to sustainable recovery was not merely a matter of rebuilding infrastructure. “It’s about rebuilding trust, strengthening communities, and ensuring inclusive governance,” Cilliers said. “At UNDP, we believe that true resilience stems from cohesion within and between communities, and between citizens and their institutions. Together with the Government of Japan, we’re proud to support initiatives like this forum, which bring together international partners and local actors to co-create solutions grounded in transparency, participation, and long-term impact.”

One of the key topics of the forum was international support and investment mobilisation for the recovery of communities affected by the full-scale Russian invasion.

Government representatives from other countries shared their experiences in attracting investments to communities through decentralisation (Poland), as well as approaches to post-disaster recovery (Japan).

Masashi Nakagome, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, assured forum attendees that Japan has always been – and will remain – a reliable partner of Ukraine. “Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Japan has committed over U.S. $12 billion in humanitarian, financial, reconstruction, and recovery assistance. Drawing on its experience in reconstruction and recovery efforts following natural disasters, Japan is focused on responding to the needs of communities most affected by the war. Addressing the urgent needs of local communities is the cornerstone of recovery, resilience, and national cohesion. Japan will continue to stand with Ukraine in this vital endeavour.”

The forum served as an important platform for sharing experiences and identifying joint solutions between Ukraine and its international partners, contributing to Ukraine’s future development as post-war recovery is ongoing.

Discussions during the event also covered issues related to the reintegration of temporarily occupied territories, local government reforms, and strategic approaches to the allocation of financial resources.

Media inquiries:
 Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Communications Team Leader yuliia.samus@undp.org