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The Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 was co-chaired by the UK and Ukraine in London on 21-22 June 2023. The conference was a continuation of the cycle of annual events, with URC 2022 conducted jointly with Switzerland in Lugano.
URC 2022, 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 this effort. Ukraine has already undertaken initiatives to move forward with reconstruction in line with these principles and commitments, despite the circumstances of war.
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 Ukraine’s stabilisation and recovery needs following Russian attacks.
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 brought together the international community to help secure Ukraine’s long-term economic future – one that is more modern, open and resilient.
The conference focussed 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.
URC 2023 showcased the strength and potential of the private sector in supporting Ukraine to “build back better”, working alongside a broad coalition of governments, international organisations and civil society.
URC 2023 brought together Leaders, Ministers, and representatives of 59 states, 32 international organisations and international financial institutions, over 500 businesses, and 130 civil society organisations.
Discussions focussed on how the private sector can play a leading role by applying its expertise and supporting Ukraine's recovery, and invited investors to consider specific sectors and opportunities. To support this, Ukraine set out how it continues to implement an ambitious reform agenda and look for ways to support investment in Ukraine and reduce risk.
We ensured that representation at the conference was diverse and inclusive within the strict limit on overall numbers. Representatives were 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. Participants were also selected to ensure diversity and representation at national, regional and local levels.
There was enormous Civil Society interest and appetite to participate in URC23, beyond the number that could be invited to the conference. To support wider Civil Society participation, we held a Civil Society Road to URC23 Side Event with Chatham House on 20 June. These Chatham House discussions fed through into the main conference.
Follow this link for details about the Chatham House civil society Road to URC23 Side Event, including the agenda.
It is also possible to stream the recordings of the main URC23 event on 21-22 June. Please visit the URC2023 Programme and Live Stream tab for more information.
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.
