Kyiv, 7 February 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and the Government of Japan have supported the "Strategic Planning at the Regional Level: From Recovery to Development." National Forum, which was organized in partnership with the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine. The event brought together more than 250 participants, including representatives of government authorities, local self-government bodies, international partners, experts, and academia.

The forum was the concluding event of a series of seven strategic sessions held from December 2024 to January 2025, which covered the entire country. These sessions aimed to update the country’s various regional development strategies, bring them into line with the State Strategy for Regional Development for 2021–2027. Particular focus was placed on addressing the specific challenges of Ukraine’s four macro-regions: the temporarily occupied territories, frontline regions, the centre, and the western oblasts.

The forum was an important step in shaping strategies for the recovery and development of Ukraine’s regions. During the event, the key findings from these strategic sessions were summarized, and a new territorially-oriented approach to strategic planning was presented.

Representatives of communities, regional administrations, and experts also worked in groups to determine priorities for the different types of territories, and presented their recommendations at the end of the forum.

Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine – Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, emphasized that Ukraine’s recovery is not just a matter of rebuilding destroyed infrastructure, but is also about laying the foundation for the sustainable development of the country’s regions. “The strategic approach we are shaping today will enable us to overcome the consequences of the war and ensure conscious recovery and growth,” Kuleba said, “I sincerely thank UNDP and the Government of Japan for their consistent support, which is a crucial component in achieving our shared goals.”

At the event, Christophoros Politis, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Ukraine, noted that sustainable recovery process and advancing development priorities was impossible without strategic planning. “This is not just about restoring what was lost, but about creating a resilient, inclusive, and future-oriented Ukraine,” Politis said. “For this, planning must be comprehensive and implemented at all levels – national, regional, and local. Regional and local authorities play a key role in this process, but to implement strategies effectively, they need practical tools, data, knowledge, and resources. Without these, long-term recovery and development will remain out of reach. That is why UNDP continues to support Ukraine strengthening institutions, fostering inclusive recovery social cohesion, and ensuring economic sustainability across all regions.”

Masashi Nakagome, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, underscored that Japan remains unwavering in its commitment to standing with Ukraine during these difficult times. “I would like to emphasize the crucial role of regional strategic planning in addressing the challenges Ukraine faces now and ensuring sustainable development for future generations,” Nakagome said. “Japan is honoured to support this important initiative, and reaffirms its commitment to continuing its support for Ukraine, working with leaders of communities and regions to build a stronger future.”

Background

From December 2024 to January 2025, at the initiative of the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, UNDP in Ukraine, with financial support from the Government of Japan, conducted a series of strategic sessions titled "Regional Strategic Planning as an Effective Mechanism for Recovery, Development, and Coordination." The goal of these sessions was to review existing regional strategies and new strategic proposals, assess their alignment with the State Strategy for Regional Development for 2021–2027, analyse the current conditions and challenges specific to each region, evaluate regional productive capacities, and develop systemic recommendations.

Seven sessions were held in seven cities across Ukraine, covering all regions and engaging more than 800 participants. These strategic sessions are part of a broader UNDP partnership with the ministry. In 2023–2024, through a pilot project funded by the Government of Japan, UNDP supported 10 territorial communities in developing strategic planning documents, assessing corruption risks, and strengthening the capacity of local authorities. The next phase of the initiative will expand to 20 new communities, with a focus on inclusive and transparent recovery processes.

Media Inquiries

Yuliia Samus, Head of Communications, UNDP in Ukraine. E-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org