The Ukraine Reform Conference scheduled to take place on 4 and 5 July has been renamed the Ukraine Recovery Conference to reflect the new focus of the gathering. The way to rebuild Ukraine is through a broad-based political and diplomatic process. Switzerland and Ukraine want to start this process in Lugano. Discussions will focus on Ukraine’s reconstruction and development programme and on contributions from international partners.
Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Seán Fleming, is representing Ireland at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano, Switzerland.
Lugano was due to host the fifth annual Ukraine Reform Conference, previous meetings have focused on Ukraine’s reform process.
Following the further Russian invasion of Ukraine of 24 February and with illegal Russian military aggression still ongoing, in consultation with the Government of Ukraine, the 5th Ukraine Reform Conference has been replaced by the Ukraine Recovery Conference.
In this framework, Minister Fleming and Ministers from other countries will address reforms that have made Ukraine so resilient and discuss the country’s more urgent needs, exchange ideas on reconstruction priorities, and coordinate international support.
Minister Fleming said, “I am pleased to represent Ireland at this important forum for the international community to show support to Ukraine. Ireland stands in solidarity with Ukraine in its defence of democratic values. Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable military aggression against Ukraine has shocked the world, and caused massive destruction.
“The Ukraine Recovery Conference will be an opportunity for the international community to exchange ideas on reconstruction and to assist in co-ordination of the country’s recovery. Importantly, this process is taking place in partnership with Ukraine.”
The Ukraine Recovery Conference is being jointly hosted by Switzerland and Ukraine, and will include contributions from President Cassis of Switzerland and Prime Minister Shmyhal of Ukraine. International delegations from around 40 countries including EU member states and the US, as well as representatives from a number of international organisations, are expected to attend.