On 21 October 2024, the XVIII Ukrainian Municipal Forum ‘Unity for the Victory and Recovery of Ukraine’, organised by the Association of Ukrainian Cities, was kicked off.

The Forum participants were welcomed by:

Vitaliy Klitschko, Chair of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, Mayor of Kyiv,

Katarina Mathernova, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine,

Carlo Formosa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Italy to Ukraine,

Oleksandr Korniienko, First Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine,

Tim Prange, Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ukraine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vitaliy Klitschko emphasised the importance of unity with international partners and within the country for the sake of Ukraine's rapid Victory and recovery. He spoke about the work of the Association of Ukrainian Cities to strengthen the capacity of each municipality and focused on the need to protect municipal officials from pressure from law enforcement and security forces.

 

‘Currently, the work of many municipalities and utility companies is blocked due to numerous operational actions of law enforcement agencies and their appeals to the courts. People are either suspended, limited in their duties or demoralised. Often, these are the professionals who cannot be replaced to provide the services needed by local residents. The Board of the Association of Ukrainian Cities has decided to strengthen the legal service of the Association to help everyone who needs it,’ said Vitaliy Klitschko.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian municipalities for their resilience. She highlighted three main messages

- Decentralisation is one of the most successful reforms proved by the major role of municipalities in Ukraine’s resilience since the first days of the full-scale invasion;

- Local governance and CSOs are instrumental for Ukraine’s recovery, modernisation and in its path toward EU membership

- Around 1bn euro under Pillar 1 of the Ukraine Facility shall be allocated to the recovery, reconstruction and modernisation needs of Ukraine’s sub-national authorities. Similarly, the Ukraine Investment Framework will continue supporting municipal-level projects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H.E. Ambassador Carlo Formosa emphasised that international cooperation between municipalities is a factor that can help respond quickly and effectively to both urgent and long-term challenges. Local communities have always been, and continue to be, a key driver of the country’s recovery. He noted that the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (URC), to be held in the Republic of Italy, intends to mobilize continued international support for recovery, reconstruction, reform, and modernization of Ukraine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oleksandr Korniienko mentioned that the XVIII Ukrainian Municipal Forum ‘Unity for the Victory and Recovery of Ukraine’ is symbolically and timely taking place at a time when the budget process is being actively developed and the heating season is starting, so a broad representation of local authorities will allow to develop proposals and effective solutions to the most pressing problems. He stressed that the capacity of large and small municipalities is a priority for the authorities at all levels.

The First Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine highlighted that special attention is currently focused on the human capital saving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Prange assured the municipal leaders of Germany's continued support and solidarity for the Ukrainian people. He noted the importance of strengthening local capacities for Ukraine's resilience, but also for recovery. He encouraged everyone to work together on fighting corruption on all levels, also with a view to EU integration and business climate:

"Progress is not linear, but I am confident, that in one year's time we will see even more results." said Tim Prange.

The opening of the Forum was moderated by Oleksandr Slobozhan, Executive Director of the Association of Ukrainian Cities.

 

  

 

  

The work of the Forum continues according to the Agenda:

21 October 2024 - Dialogue Day,

22 October - Unity Day.

For the Ukrainian version of the article, please visit link.