The Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023, to be held jointly by the UK and Ukraine in London in June, is a continuation of the cycle of annual events with the last one conducted jointly with Switzerland in Lugano.
The previous edition of the conference, held for the first time during the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, launched the Lugano Principles, which laid the foundation for the reconstruction process of Ukraine and united the world in its efforts.
Since Lugano, the international community has pledged significant emergency assistance, but a broader mobilisation of public and private sectors is needed to meet the scale of stabilisation and recovery needs Ukraine requires following russian attacks. Ukraine has already undertaken initiatives to move forward with reconstruction in line with these principles and commitments, despite the circumstances of war.
The Ukraine Recovery Conference is dedicated to Ukraine's transformation and was symbolically launched in London in 2017 as the Ukraine Reform Conference.
URC 2023 will focus on mobilising international support for Ukraine's economic and social stabilisation and recovery from the effects of war, including through emergency assistance for immediate needs and financing private sector participation in the reconstruction process.
We expect the broad participation of the international community, international financial institutions, the private sector and civil society to mobilise support for Ukraine.
We are keen to see the private sector play a leading role by applying its expertise and supporting Ukraine's recovery, and invite investors to consider specific sectors and opportunities. To support this, Ukraine continues to implement an ambitious reform agenda and look for ways to support investment in Ukraine and reduce risk.
Please note that the number of conference visitors is limited for security reasons. Participation in the conference is only possible if an invitation has been received from the host. Further information on the conference programme will be published shortly before the date of the event.
We have ensured that representation at the conference is diverse and inclusive within the strict limit on overall numbers. Representatives have been selected based on the URC's programme focus on private sector and economic recovery, as well as priority areas such as human capital, energy, critical and social infrastructure, humanitarian demining, economic recovery and regional development. The criteria of diversity and representation at national, regional and local levels were applied.
We recognise that there is enormous Civil Society interest and appetite to participate in URC23, beyond the number that can be invited to the conference. We have, therefore, planned a civil society Road to URC23 Side Event with Chatham House on 20 June that has been designed to allow greater participation from those CSO organisations who will not be physically present at URC23. These Chatham House discussions will feed through into the main conference.
Follow this link for details about the Chatham House civil society Road to URC23 Side Event, including the agenda and the registration process.
It will also be possible to live stream the main URC23 event on 21-22 June. Details will be made available on this website near the conference.
The URC provides an opportunity to discuss ways to accelerate political, economic and social transformations. High-level participants reflect on the key reform results achieved and discuss future reform priorities for a stable and prosperous Ukraine.
Who participates in the URC process? Approximately 40 countries support the ongoing transition efforts in Ukraine through their participation in the URC process, in particular EU member states, the United States, Canada and Japan. Approximately 15 international organisations also support the Ukrainian authorities in their efforts to reform the country. Participation in the conference is, in principle, open to all actors willing to contribute to the political, economic and social reform process in Ukraine.
The URC has traditionally welcomed representatives of civil society, the private sector, participants from the academic world, as well as think tanks supporting reforms in Ukraine. Inclusiveness and a multi-stakeholder approach are particular features of the preparatory process and the conference.
Switzerland has the honour of co-hosting the fifth URC in Lugano on 45 July 2022. This milestone provides a timely opportunity to reflect on the key reform results achieved and discuss future reform priorities for a stable and prosperous Ukraine.
The focus goes beyond the traditional outside perspective of the Ukrainian reform agenda as it also adds an insider’s perspective on how Ukraine can best contribute to the region’s sustainable economic development and resilience. The conference is jointly organised by Ukraine and the host country.
The format of the URC has evolved over the years. One of its main features is the ‘On the road to...’ process with several preparatory events, the results of which are presented at the main conference.
In recent years, Ukraine has been steadily moving towards deep and structural reforms. The transformations taking place today in all key areas of state life are the foundation for qualitative changes in the medium term, the basis for improving the wellbeing and standard of living of the residents of Ukraine.
Structural modernization of the economy, tangible improvement of conditions for conducting business, an impetus for the development of domestic industry
Maximizing governance efficiency
is one of the Government's priority goals, and the reforms that are being implemented to achieve this goal are among the most important ones
Creating the necessary basic conditions for a comfortable and safe life, opportunities for implementation the potential of residents is one of the most important functions of the state
Formation of effective local self government bodies and organization of territorial authorities to create and maintain a full-fledged living environment for residents.
System response and security sector transformation. Each Ukrainian should feel safe and secure in their home country.