On March 5, 2025, Milan hosted a preparatory business forum ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) 2025.
Around 500 participants gathered at Palazzo Lombardia — representatives of companies from Italy, Ukraine, and other countries. Together, they discussed how to support Ukraine’s reconstruction and prepare the country for EU membership. This forum marked an important step toward the major URC 2025 conference in Rome, which will define the key directions for Ukraine’s recovery.
The forum opened with speeches by Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, and the President of Lombardy Attilio Fontana. After the opening, panel discussions began, divided into four main blocks: business, people, regions, and reforms for EU integration.
One of the central topics was energy. Participants agreed that Ukraine needs a completely new energy system — strong and environmentally friendly. They discussed solar and wind power, carbon emission reductions, and ways to attract investments into these projects. The focus was not just on restoring what was lost, but on building a modern, sustainable infrastructure.
“Our team highlighted the importance of energy-efficient prefab technologies. Only prefab construction can ensure both high energy efficiency and fast reconstruction. Modular assembly significantly reduces construction time, optimizes costs, and guarantees operational stability — which is crucial in today’s conditions. We also discussed attracting donor funding, developing youth housing programs, and decarbonizing ports,” emphasized Yurii Maslov, Head of the Ukraine Rebuilding Alliance.
Another key panel focused on manufacturing. The discussion centered on how to develop Ukraine’s capacity to process raw materials into high-value products, rather than simply exporting raw resources. Special attention was given to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) — helping them grow and compete.
Infrastructure was also a priority topic — including ports, railways, and housing. In particular, the housing needs of those affected by the war were highlighted, with participants stressing that supporting people is a top priority.
The forum also addressed Ukraine’s critical raw materials, which are essential for global industries. Ukraine’s rich reserves present a major economic opportunity.
The event concluded with a presentation of Mykolaiv’s reconstruction plan, developed with UN support. Participants also learned about the partnership between Lombardy and Zaporizhzhia region, underscoring that international cooperation is moving beyond declarations and into real action.
The Milan forum generated new ideas and partnerships, showing that businesses and governments are ready to invest in Ukraine’s future. There is still much work ahead, but the strong international support is already clear. The next challenge is to turn these discussions into concrete actions at URC 2025 in Rome.
