Ukrainian World Congress holds Annual General Meeting

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) held its Annual General Meeting online on Oct. 26, bringing together 140 delegates and guests from 56 organizations in 33 countries worldwide.

The official program opened with Ukraine’s national anthem, followed by a prayer led by Bishop Stepan Sus, Head of the Pastoral Migration Department of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha addressed the participants, expressing his gratitude for UWC’s dedicated support of Ukraine. 

“Now is the time for timely, strong, and historic decisions that can halt the Kremlin’s imperialist ambitions, force an end to the aggression, and restore a just peace,” Sybiha said. “The Ukrainian world community is a powerful force that works with foreign governments and societies on a daily basis…I thank every and each one of you for your tireless work.”

In Lviv, Iryna Kliuchkovska, Director of the International Institute of Education, Culture, and Diaspora Relations (IECDR), sent a video greeting. From Rivne Oblast, the National University of Ostroh Academy sent an official congratulatory letter.

The meeting was chaired by Mykola-Myroslav Petretskyi, Head of the Union of Ukrainians of Romania (UUR) and UWC Vice President for Eastern Europe. 

Delegates approved the UWC President’s Paul Grod’s report, which highlighted the organization’s achievements over the past year, from supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine to advocacy efforts and the empowerment of Ukrainian communities worldwide.

In turn, Grod thanked the participants for their steadfast commitment and support. “I feel that we are one global Ukrainian community, one single guiding unit, and this gives us inspiration to continue working. Wherever our Ukrainian communities are, we all have our common goals, and they are victory, rebuilding Ukraine and to have a strong Ukrainian world,” he said. 

Delegates and guests paid tribute to UWC’s First Vice President, the late Stefan Romaniw of Australia. Grod also announced the launch of the Stefan Romaniw Fund in his honor to support the next generation of leaders in the diaspora and an award in his name for leaders aged 30 years and younger.