UWC joins the Ukraine Recovery Conference

Lugano, Switzerland – July 4, 2022.  A Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) delegation headed by President Paul Grod is participating in Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2022) in Lugano, Switzerland July 4-5.

The meeting has representation from 40 nations and 20 international organizations. Among the participants include presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers, parliamentarians and diplomats from countries who are supporting Ukraine’s defence and recovery.  Furthermore there are representatives of the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and other international financial institutions. Ukraine is represented by President Volodymyr Zelensky (virtually), Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Verkhovna Rada Chair Stefanchuk, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Energy, Infrastructure, Ecology, Digitalization, and Regional Development, and many parliamentarians and civil society organization.

In his opening address President Zelensky called up countries and companies to support the Government’s Reconstruction Plan and boldly engage in Ukraine’s recovery.  He focused on rebuilding a green economy and local economic development that will develop long-term jobs and opportunities for Ukrainians and the entire world.  His stated vision is that Ukraine will be the freest country in Europe where the world wants to do business.

The UWC delegation includes UWC President Paul Grod, UWC Vice Presidents Andrew Futey and Olena Koszarny, Executive Director Sonya Soutus, and UN HR Committee Chair Andrej Lushnycky.

Since 2017, conferences on Ukraine’s reforms have been conducted yearly in London 2017, Copenhagen 2018, Toronto 2019, and Vilnius 2020 virtual and 2021 in person. URC 2022 is focused on Ukraine’s reconstruction resulting from the Russian invasion.  A major component of the conference is the key role of civil society and the private sector in Ukraine’s recovery.

At URC 2022 Ukraine is presenting its Recovery Plan and approach to collaborate with international partners to implement and evolve the plan. Participants will discuss the institutional framework for recovery, as well as social, economic, environmental, and infrastructural recovery from the harm and losses brought on by Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine.

The 2023 Ukraine Reconstruction Conference will be held in the United Kingdom.