We invite you to read the nineteenth Ukraine Rebuilding Digest, an overview of the recovery news from the Ukraine Rebuilding Alliance for September 2024.
The EU and over 30 countries adopted a declaration on Ukraine’s recovery
On 26 September, the Group of Seven plus Ukraine meeting took place in New York, where more than 30 countries and the European Union signed a Joint Declaration on Support for Ukraine’s Recovery and Reconstruction. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the importance of this joint commitment, which includes coordination of efforts through the Ukrainian Donor Platform.
Zelenskyy noted that this is not just a symbolic declaration, but evidence that Ukraine and its international partners share common values aimed at protecting people and restoring normal life. He also added that those who supported Ukraine during the war will be the first to have the opportunity to participate in the country’s large-scale reconstruction.
US President Joseph Biden also underlined the significance of the declaration, pledging continued support for Ukraine. He promised additional measures to strengthen support for the Ukrainian military to ensure Ukraine’s victory and survival.
Sergii Marchenko and the Italian Special Envoy for Ukraine’s recovery discussed the priorities of the Multi-Donor Coordination Platform
The Minister of Finance of Ukraine Sergii Marchenko met with the Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy for the reconstruction of Ukraine Davide La Cecilia. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Finance Olha Zykova and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Ukraine Carlo Formosa.
Marchenko expressed his gratitude to the Italian government for supporting Ukraine during its G7 presidency. The role of Italy in launching the EU’s financial instrument **Ukraine Facility**, which contributes to Ukraine’s macro-financial stability on its way to EU integration, was particularly noted. Since the beginning of the war, Italy has provided Ukraine with €310 million in direct budgetary support, one third of which is in the form of grants.
The parties discussed cooperation within the framework of the Multi-Stakeholder Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine and preparations for the next meeting of the Platform’s Steering Committee to be held on 9 October 2024 in Rome. During this meeting, it is planned to consider the list of priority investment projects as part of the preparation of the Unified Project Portfolio until 2025. The goal is to increase the efficiency of using financial resources to meet Ukraine’s most important needs.
Odesa Economic Revival Forum
This year’s Odesa Economic Revival Forum brought together the world’s leading business, political and civil society leaders, demonstrating the resilience of Odesa region and its ability to develop even in times of war. Despite the challenges, Odesa continues to grow as an important economic centre of Ukraine.
‘The Forum is an example of how international efforts can be united to rebuild the country in times of war. Odesa’s integration into international economic processes and infrastructure development will contribute to the recovery of the whole of Ukraine. Only through the joint efforts of business, civil society and the government can we create a strong state that can meet the challenges of war and become a leader in Eastern Europe,’ said Yuriy Maslov, Chairman of the Ukraine Rebuilding Alliance.
Supporting Ukraine, implementing the Peace Formula and rebuilding: Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with George Maloney
On 6 September 2024, on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Giorgio Meloni. During the meeting, the President thanked the Italian side for all the packages of military and technical assistance provided to Ukraine and stressed the importance of the speedy transfer of weapons.
Zelenskyy also briefed George Maloney on the current situation at the frontline and the recent attacks on Ukraine’s civilian and critical infrastructure by Russia, emphasising the country’s urgent defence needs. The parties discussed steps to implement the decision of the Group of Seven to provide Ukraine with almost USD 50 billion from frozen Russian assets.
In addition, the President of Ukraine expressed gratitude for Italy’s decision to host the next Ukraine Recovery Conference to be held in 2025 and noted that preparations for this event had already begun. An important topic of the meeting was the discussion of the restoration of Ukraine’s energy system and the implementation of the Peace Formula, in which Italy is actively involved, helping to implement each of its points.
Zelenskyy also touched upon Ukraine’s European integration, noting Italy’s significant support on this path.
195 years of the Odesa National Scientific Library
As we celebrate the 195th anniversary of the Odesa National Scientific Library, we honour one of the oldest and most prominent scientific and cultural institutions in Ukraine. For almost two centuries, this library has been preserving invaluable cultural and scientific heritage, becoming a centre of intellectual development of the country.
Ukraine Rebuilding Alliance was honoured to take part in the celebration of this landmark event by donating a unique edition of the 1813 liturgical book ‘Lavra Pentacostion’ to the library. This rare book, known only from one description in the 1892 catalogue of the Kyiv Theological Academy, is an important cultural, scientific and historical treasure.
‘As we revive our national shrines, the preservation of cultural heritage is of particular importance. We hope that this gift will further strengthen the role of the library as a scientific and cultural centre of Ukraine,’ said Yuriy Maslov, Chairman of Ukraine Rebuilding Alliance.
Forum ‘Creating Tomorrow: Post-War Reconstruction and Community Recovery’
On 18 September 2024, the Forum ‘Creating Tomorrow: Post-War Reconstruction and Community Recovery’ was held in Kyiv. Participants – representatives of local self-government, government officials and international partners – discussed strategies for Ukraine’s recovery. The key event was the opening of the School of Community Recovery, founded by the NGO Mariupol.Reborn and the Association of Ukrainian Cities.
Speakers included representatives of the Council of Europe, Ukrainian government officials and international organisations, who stressed the importance of decentralisation and community involvement in the recovery process. The School of Community Recovery is aimed at training specialists for the effective reconstruction and development of the affected regions.
Security conditions, medical services, housing reconstruction will facilitate the return of Ukrainians from abroad
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is actively cooperating with European partners to create conditions that will facilitate the return of Ukrainians who have left abroad due to the full-scale Russian invasion. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said at the Yalta European Strategy conference that it is important to develop return programmes, including security, medical services and housing restoration.
The ministry is also in talks with the European Commission, in particular with European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ilva Johansson, on initiatives to encourage Ukrainians to return home. The minister stressed that these initiatives should create positive motivation for Ukrainians abroad so that they can make an informed choice to return.
Public Interest Advocacy: A Step Towards Systemic Change.
The first ever Ukrainian Parliamentary Advocacy Academy, organised under the USAID RADA: The Next Generation Programme, took place in Kyiv. Over the course of four days, the team of the Alliance for Restoration of Ukraine and representatives of civil society organisations from across the country immersed themselves in key aspects of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, studying the processes of drafting and adopting bills, as well as the possibilities for public participation in parliamentary oversight. Practical workshops and the interactive game ‘Legislative Process’, which allowed participants to see the stages of a draft law from idea to entry into force, proved particularly useful.
‘Advocacy is a tool that enables the public to influence legislative processes and promote systemic change. An in-depth understanding of the legislative process allows us to better defend the interests of communities and find ways to effectively cooperate with the parliament. This is another step towards ensuring that the voice of citizens is heard and taken into account in decision-making at the state level,’ said Mykyta Laktionov, Deputy Director of Ukraine Rebuilding Alliance.
The Netherlands has allocated hundreds of millions of euros to rebuild Ukraine’s infrastructure
The Netherlands has announced a new package of financial support worth €209.5 million to rebuild critical infrastructure in Ukraine. Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Veldkamp confirmed that the assistance will be provided through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and in the form of humanitarian aid.
Among the main areas of use of the funds, it is planned to allocate EUR 45 million for the purchase of equipment to overcome the energy challenges faced by Ukraine in the context of the war. In addition, during the visit of Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schof to Zaporizhzhia on 2 September, a new aid package worth €200 million was announced, and the Dutch government is also preparing another military aid package that will include air defence equipment.
Oleksiy Kuleba introduces the new head of the State Agency for the Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine
Oleksiy Kuleba, Vice Prime Minister for Reconstruction of Ukraine, Minister of Communities and Territories Development, stressed the importance of joint work of the Ministry and the State Agency for Reconstruction at the central and regional levels. He noted that in the context of the unprecedented challenges Ukraine is facing, the appointment of a new head of the Agency is a difficult and responsible choice that should deliver the concrete results citizens expect. Kuleba emphasised that at the community level, this could be housing reconstruction, and at the state level, a clear strategy that will be supported by international partners.
The newly appointed head of the State Agency for Reconstruction, Serhiy Sukhomlyn, announced the priorities of his work, including the slogan ‘to build better than it was’. He plans to focus on strengthening Ukraine’s energy independence, protecting critical infrastructure and building housing for internally displaced persons. Sukhomlyn stressed the need to work quickly to rebuild the country and protect critical infrastructure, noting that operational and strategic tasks should be planned for 10-15 years ahead. Prior to his appointment, he was the mayor of Zhytomyr, elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2020.
