Rebuilding Ukraine: Navigating a Sustainable Recovery and EU Candidacy

Just over a year ago, on February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine that has resulted in a devastating loss of life and catastrophic damage to Ukraine’s infrastructure and environment. A joint assessment by the Ukraine government, the European Commission, the United Nations and the World Bank estimated the cost of reconstruction and recovery across social, productive and infrastructure sectors in Ukraine to be USD 411 billion. The Ukrainian government previously estimated the full cost for post-war reconstruction at nearly USD 750 billion.

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ABOUT THE EVENT

At this panel, organized by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and Rise Ukraine Coalition, attendees heard insights from both Ukrainian and international experts as they discussed how to achieve a sustainable, resilient and equitable recovery, whilst also addressing the country’s ongoing challenges. In particular, the panelists considered the role sustainability should play in Ukraine’s recovery plan and the implications this might have on the country’s development and possible accession to the EU.

• Why should Ukraine and the sustainability community focus on recovery now? 
• What are the Ukraine government’s recovery priorities? 
• What opportunities and challenges does Ukraine face if it adopts a sustainability-focused recovery? 
• How can the global community help rebuild a sustainable and resilient Ukraine and support its path toward EU membership? 

SPEAKERS  

• Oleksiy Ryabchyn, Strategic Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister for the European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine 

• Tanel Tang, Team Leader, Inter-Institutional, Coordination of Relief and Reconstruction Unit, Ukraine Service, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), European Commission 

• Vladyslav Rashkovan, Alternate Executive Director, International Monetary Fund 

• Svitlana Kolomiiets, Coordinator of the Capacity Building Office, State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine 

• Svyatoslav Pavlyuk, Executive Director, Association “Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine” 

• Anna Ackermann, Policy Analyst, Green Reconstruction of Ukraine, IISD, Board member of Centre for Environmental Initiatives “Ecoaction” 

MODERATOR

• Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder, Interim Co-President and Co-CEO, Vice-President, Global Strategies and Managing Director, Europe

The International Institute for Sustainable Development is an award-winning independent think tank working to fulfill a bold commitment: to create a world where people and the planet thrive. The Institute champions sustainable development around the world through innovation, partnerships, research and communications.

RISE Ukraine is a coalition of Ukrainian and international public organizations, initiatives, state institutions and activists who support the Principles for Ukraine’s Reconstruction and Modernization through constructive dialogue with the authorities and international partners.