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Ukraine Recovery Conference

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Ukraine Recovery Conference (formerly Ukraine Reform Conference) is an annual international event dedicated to discussions on the rebuilding and reconstruction priorities of Ukraine due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[1][2]

Ukraine Recovery Conference
Pre-2022 conference logo.
FrequencyAnnually
InauguratedJuly 6, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-07-06)
Most recentJune 11–12, 2024 (Berlin, Germany)
Next eventJuly 10–11 2025 (Rome, Italy)
ParticipantsUkraine and its international partners
ActivityWar recovery, Reforms, National security, Democracy, Economy of Ukraine

History

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Following the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, Ukraine began undertaking reforms to reinforce security and democratic accountability.[3] In 2017, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman initiated the first Ukraine Reform Conference as a tool for active engagement and collaboration with international organizations and foreign countries to support and implement reforms in Ukraine.[4][3]

The Ukraine Reform Conference originally focused on progress with reforms in Ukraine.[4] It began as a conference including Ukrainian and foreign officials, including members of the European Union, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), The Group of Seven (G7), civil society representatives, members of the private sector, and think tanks.[4][3] The objectives of the conference were to present results of key reforms in Ukraine, set out the priority of the Government of Ukraine's objectives for the upcoming year, encourage investment in the Ukrainian economy, and engage the international community in Ukrainian reforms.[4]

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that started in 2014. The 2022 conference was originally planned as the 5th Ukraine Reform Conference. However, the focus and name were changed due to invasion of Ukraine.[1][2]

2024

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Road closure as Zelenskyy visited Berlin on 11 June 2024

In September 2023, Germany announced it would host the next conference. It took place on June 11–12, 2024 in Berlin.[5][6][7]

2023

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Leaders and government officials at the 2023 conference.

The 2023 conference took place in London, United Kingdom from June 21–22, 2023.[8][9]

The conference was again attended by high-level international representatives, organizations, and financial institutions.[8] President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy again attended virtually via video-link.[10]

During the conference, Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal remarked that Ukraine was facing the largest reconstruction project in Europe since World War II and requested US$7 billion in aid.[11]

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented a proposal for a new Ukrainian facility that would provide up to EUR€50 billion over four years to support financial stability, recovery, and implementation of key reforms to assist in the Accession of Ukraine to the European Union between 2024 and 2027.[12]

2022

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Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis during the 2022 conference

The fifth conference was the first conference after the Russian invasion of Ukraine which precipitated a change in name and focus of the conference from the Ukraine Reform Conference to the Ukraine Recovery Conference.[1]

It was a two-day conference held on 4–5 July 2022 in Lugano, Switzerland designed to present the Ukrainian roadmap on post-war reconstruction, including plans to raise funds for the reconstruction of Ukraine.[13] It has been called a “Marshall Plan” for Ukraine.[13][14] The Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, revealed infrastructure losses in Ukraine to be more than US$100 billion.[15] Which included more than 1,200 educational institutions, 200 hospitals, thousands of kilometres of gas pipelines, water and electricity infrastructure, roads, and railways which had been destroyed or damaged.[15]

During the conference, a draft framework was presented for the post-war recovery of Ukraine. Using input from 2,000 experts, the framework was separated into three stages with an estimated reconstruction cost of US$750 billion.[15][16]

The draft framework included the following steps for the reconstruction of Ukraine:

  1. Emergency humanitarian help, including water supplies and bridges.
  2. From 2023 to 2025, reconstruct schools, hospitals, and homes.
  3. From 2026 to 2032, modernization to a green economy that leaves the Soviet era, and prepares Ukraine for EU membership.[15]

The conference resulted in a "Lugano Declaration"[17] which outlined the following:

  • Condemnation of the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
  • Urging Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory.
  • Full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
  • Full commitment to supporting Ukraine throughout its path from early to long-term recovery.[17][18]

It also outlined seven principles for Ukraine's recovery process:[18]

  1. Partnership. Led by Ukraine in partnership with international partners.
  2. Reform focus. Focus on reform efforts in line with Ukraine's European path.
  3. Transparency, accountability, and rule of law.
  4. Democratic participation.
  5. Multi-stakeholder engagement.
  6. Gender equality and inclusion.
  7. Sustainability.[18]

The declaration was signed by heads of state and government, ministers and high representatives of Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Greece, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary, Finland, France, Croatia, Japan, as well as senior officials and high representatives of the Council of Europe, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.[19] The United Kingdom also unveiled a large aid package for the rebuilding of Ukraine.[20]

The conference was the first one that President Zelenskyy did not attend in person and instead joined via live video link from Kyiv.[21]

During his speech, President Zelenskyy remarked on the invasion of Ukraine:

Russia's war against Ukraine is not only an attempt to seize our land and destroy state institutions, to break our independence. It is a worldview confrontation. The anti-democratic and anti-European system built in Russia is trying to prove that it is supposedly stronger than all of us: Ukraine, Europe, and the democratic world.[16]

2021

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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at the fourth conference.

The fourth conference was originally scheduled to be held on July 7, 2020, in Vilnius, Lithuania.[22][23] However, due to complications from the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was rescheduled for 2021.[24]

Both President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky attended. Invitees included representatives from the following countries:

as well as representatives from the European Union, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Council of Europe, the International Monetary Fund, NATO, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, the European Union Advisory Mission Ukraine, and the European Union Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine.[22]

The conference focused on developments after the 2019 Ukrainian presidential election, the ongoing War in Donbass, and policy objectives for the future.[22][25]

2019

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Leaders and officials in Toronto.
Excerpt video from the conference.

The third conference was held on July 2–4, 2019 in Toronto, Canada.[3]

There was more than 800 in attendance, including delegations from 37 countries and 10 international organizations.[3] Among those in attendance included President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau,[26] as well as representatives from the following countries:

as well as representatives from NATO, Council of Europe, International Monetary Fund, European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, OECD, Ukrainian World Congress, and the World Bank.[3][27]

Key agenda items included:

  • Irreversibility of reforms in Ukraine
  • Decentralization reform, its opportunities, efficiency, and results
  • Ukraine on the path of integration into the Euro-Atlantic community
  • Innovations, opportunities and investing[27][3]

2018

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Prime Minister Groysman speaks during the second conference.

The second conference was held on June 27, 2018, in Copenhagen, Denmark.[28][29]

The conference was attended by:

Country Representative Position References
  Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman Prime Minister of Ukraine [29][30]
  Denmark(host) Lars Løkke Rasmussen Prime Minister of Denmark [29][30]
  Canada Chrystia Freeland Minister of Foreign Affairs [29][30]
  Estonia Sven Mikser Minister of Foreign Affairs [29][30]
  European Union Federica Mogherini High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy [29][30]
  Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs Minister of Foreign Affairs [29][30]
  Lithuania Linas Antanas Linkevičius Minister of Foreign Affairs [29][30]
  Norway Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide Minister of Foreign Affairs [29][30]
  Sweden Margot Wallström Minister of Foreign Affairs [29][30]
  Turkey Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu Minister of Foreign Affairs [29][30]
  United Kingdom Boris Johnson Foreign Secretary [29][30]

As well as representatives from the United States, NATO, OECD, and other G7 and European countries.[28][29][30]

The conference focused on affirming the international partnership with and support for a free and reformed Ukraine, and topics of good governance, economic development, and objectives for 2018–2019.[29][31] Objectives included privatization of state owned enterprises, improved corporate governance, improving the business climate, land market reform, decentralization, anti-corruption, energy sector reform, infrastructure development, public administration reform and innovation and digital development.[31]

Prime Minister Groysman indicated Ukraine will continue to implement policies further align and deepen cooperation with the European Union. The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area entered into force on 1 September 2017 and provided Ukraine with access to the European single market, which increased trade of Ukrainian foreign goods with EU members states to 41.3%.[32] In 2017, Ukraine achieved more than +2% growth in gross domestic product(GDP) and was estimated to achieve +3% GDP in 2018, and >3% GDP by 2019.[32]

Groysman outlined the following 6 key reform priories:[32]

Reform priorities Some areas of progress
Pensions Since 2017, 10.2 million pensions were raised by an average of ₴561.17 (35.7% increase).[32]
Education Implementation of the "New Ukrainian School" system. Increased coverage for students with special needs. In 2017, teachers’ salaries increased by 50% and an additional 25% increase in 2018.[32]
Healthcare Multiple laws were passed, including legislation "On Improving the Availability of Medical Services in Rural Areas”, and legislation on medical care for foreigners and stateless persons. A basic implementation of an eHealth system, and an affordable medicine program. Began setting up the National Health Service of Ukraine as a designated national purchaser of medical services.[32]
Public Administration Online tools were implemented for monitoring government decisions and plans. Creation of a single open government data web-portal (data.gov.ua) for access to public information. Implementation of 35 new e-services. Since 2017, achieved +34 in the Global Competitiveness Index and +7 in the ICT Development Index.[32]
Privatization and State-Owned Enterprises New legislation passed. Separation of state-owned enterprises(SOEs) into more groups to help triage further reforms. Utilizing Prozorro.Sale, a joint-stock company, to pilot small scale privatization of SOEs in a transparent manner.[32]
Agriculture sector Several resolutions on land use monitoring and maintenance. New online services. Allocated ₴6.3 billion in the 2018 state budget for agricultural purposes.[32]

2017

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Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson meets with Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman during the first conference.

The first conference was held on July 6, 2017, in London, United Kingdom.[33][34] The conference was attended by Prime Minister Groysman, United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, and more than 30 representatives from international security and financial organizations.[34][35]

The themes of the conference were economic growth, good governance, human capital, rule of law, anti-corruption, and defence and security.[34] The Government of Ukraine presented its Reform Action Plan 2017-2020, which laid out future reform plans.[31][35]

Prime Minister Groysman emphasized enhancing Ukraine's defence capabilities in response to aggression from Russia. Groysman remarked that "improving the defense capability of our state is in the interest of the entire democratic world".[36]

Groysman cited two additional areas needing reforms, which included privatization and corruption.[37] For privatization, Groysman stated that new legislation had already been submitted to the Ukrainian parliament to develop a system of transparent and competitive privatization.[37] As well as reforming the judicial system and adopting English law. For corruption, Groysman advocated decentralization and presented strategies for anti-corruption, including the new National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the creation of an anti-corruption court of justice.[37]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Ukraine Reform Conference from 4–5 July 2022 in Lugano (URC2022)". Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Ukraine Recovery Conference – 4,5 July 2022 – Lugano, Switzerland". Ukraine Recovery Conference 2022. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Ukraine Reform Conference July 2-4, 2019". Government of Canada. Archived from the original on November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d "Ukraine Reform Conference". Government of Ukraine. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  5. ^ "Zelenskyy appeals for help with Ukraine's energy network as recovery conference opens". AP News. 2024-06-11. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
  6. ^ Kappeler, Inke; Gretener, Jessie (September 20, 2023). "Germany will host next Ukraine recovery conference in June 2024, official says". CNN. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  7. ^ "UWC 2024 Calendar". Ukrainian World Congress. Archived from the original on March 9, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "URC 2023 Information". Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  9. ^ "London conference unites international community on Ukraine's future and global security". Government of United Kingdom. Archived from the original on March 3, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  10. ^ "All sessions of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2023)". Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  11. ^ "Ukraine PM Shmyhal expects to secure almost $7 billion in aid". Reuters. London, UK. June 21, 2023. Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  12. ^ "Ukraine Recovery Conference: President von der Leyen and Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis showcase strong EU support with new €50 billion Ukraine Facility and €800 million in agreements to mobilise investment for Ukraine's recovery". European Commission. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Ukraine recovery conference opens in Lugano, Switzerland - KyivPost - Ukraine's Global Voice". KyivPost. 2022-07-04. Archived from the original on 2022-07-04. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  14. ^ "'Colossal' work ahead, as Ukraine recovery meet to open in Lugano". France 24. 2022-07-04. Archived from the original on 2022-07-04. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  15. ^ a b c d Wintour, Patrick (July 4, 2022). "Ukraine lays out $750bn 'recovery plan' for postwar future". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "EU to set up a platform for Ukrainian reconstruction". DW News. July 4, 2022. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Outcome Document of the Ukraine Recovery Conference URC2022: 'Lugano Declaration' (Lugano, 4–5 July, 2022)". ReliefWeb. July 6, 2022. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c "Outcome Document of the Ukraine Recovery Conference URC2022 'Lugano Declaration'" (PDF). Government of Ukraine. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  19. ^ Kyiv Post (6 July 2022). "42 countries sign final declaration of Lugano Ukraine Recovery conference". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Ukrainian forces withdraw from Lysychansk; Kyiv says Donbas battle not over". Washington Post. 2022-07-03. Archived from the original on 2022-07-04. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  21. ^ "All sessions of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2022)". Ukraine Recovery Conference 2022. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  22. ^ a b c "Ukraine Reform Conference 2020 Vilnius". Republic of Lithuania. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  23. ^ "The Fourth Conference on Reforms in Ukraine will be held in Lithuania next year, on July 7 - Volodymyr Zelenskyy". President of Ukraine Official Website. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  24. ^ "Lithuanian and Canadian Foreign Ministers discuss preparations for Fourth Ukraine Reform Conference". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  25. ^ "About Ukraine Reform Conference". UAReforms. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  26. ^ "Toronto meeting was part of Ukraine pressure campaign by Trump team: U.S. diplomat". CBC. October 24, 2019. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  27. ^ a b "Ukraine Reform Conference, Toronto, July 2019". Government of Ukraine. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  28. ^ a b "Ukraine Reform Conference in Copenhagen". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Ukraine Reform Conference in Copenhagen, June 2018". Government of Ukraine. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Communiqué –Ukraine Reform Conference" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 19, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  31. ^ a b c "Press Statement by Ukraine and the UK, Denmark and Canada". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Reforms in Ukraine: Progress and Priorities" (PDF). Government of Ukraine. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 24, 2020.
  33. ^ "About the Ukraine Reform Conference". United Kingdom Government. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  34. ^ a b c "Ukraine Reform Conference, London, July 2017". Government of Ukraine. Archived from the original on November 19, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  35. ^ a b "Prime Minister in London: We created a good platform for reforms analysis". Government of Ukraine Official Website. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  36. ^ "Volodymyr Groysman: Improving Ukraine's defense capability is in the interest of the entire world". Government of Ukraine Official Website. Archived from the original on March 10, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  37. ^ a b c "Volodymyr Groysman at the Conference in London: Initiated reforms are aimed at achieving significant results". Government of Ukraine Official Website. Archived from the original on March 10, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
 
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