The II International Cohesion Forum took place: Ministry for Communities and Territories Development
On April 29, the II International Cohesion Forum was held in Kyiv. Initiated by the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, the event brought together over 500 representatives from local communities, regions, government officials, international organizations, and the civil society sector.
The event was organized as part of EU4Recovery, a flagship partnership between the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine.
The Forum was opened by Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine - Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine.
«Today, Ukraine has moved from reacting to challenges to systematically building resilience. Every region already has clear plans for protecting critical infrastructure, developing energy independence, and ensuring basic services — and we are already putting these solutions into practice. However, the scale of these challenges exceeds the capacity of any single country. That is why we propose moving from general declarations to specific joint projects at the local, regional, and national levels. Ukraine's resilience today is a vital part of Europe's resilience and the foundation of our European integration. We are already forming a model that aligns with EU cohesion policy principles and are ready to work as a full partner with proven experience and results. Our goal is not just to restore the country, but to build a modern, decentralized, and resilient system of territorial development together with our international partners», emphasized Oleksii Kuleba.
Welcoming remarks were also delivered by Oleksandr Korniienko, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Asier Santillán Luzuriaga, Head of the European Integration, Governance and Rule of Law, Civil Society Section, EU Delegation to Ukraine, Christophoros Politis, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine and Gunn Marit Helgesen, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
«Cohesion is not just a slogan; it is our weapon in today's struggle. These four years have proven that we stand strong only through the combined efforts of central and local authorities, the Parliament, the Government, and our international partners. I see this strength during every trip to frontline areas — from heroic Kherson to Sumy and Kharkiv. Much work lies ahead: from implementing new solutions in the State Budget to continuing decentralization reforms. We continue to work for our people and our country», stated Oleksandr Korniienko.
«Today, all of Ukraine — the central government, regions, and communities — is collectively responding to the key wartime challenge: the russian threat to our energy sector and all critical infrastructure systems. Our primary tasks in preparing for the next winter include protecting energy facilities, accumulating equipment reserves, and ensuring autonomy so that every community and region has the opportunity to be energy-independent», underlined Denys Shmyhal.
Asier Santillán Luzuriaga noted: «Reforms, cohesion, and regional development allow Ukraine to withstand the war and move toward the EU, setting a standard of resilience for all of Europe. This resilience is evident daily in the lives of Ukrainian people and communities and must be supported by strong decentralization and clear governance. Through the Ukraine Facility and our flagship programs, the EU supports a recovery that not only rebuilds infrastructure but also strengthens institutions, trust, and the foundations of a modern European Ukraine.»
«Ukraine’s recovery will hinge on trust between the state and its citizens – trust rooted in strong, empowered communities. Across the country, communities are strengthening institutions, enhancing transparency, restoring essential services and revitalizing local economic activity. This comprehensive, community‑driven approach reflects the principles of cohesion and is laying the foundations for an inclusive and sustainable recovery. Together with the European Union and other Member States, UNDP will continue to invest in decentralization and local communities across Ukraine to advance reforms and help secure a brighter future for the Ukrainian people», noted Christophoros Politis.
A special element of the event was a closed strategic discussion involving ambassadors of partner countries, representatives of the Government, Parliament, and communities. It focused on resilience, social cohesion, and the coordination of international support. Approximately 30 foreign representatives joined the conversation alongside Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of European and Euroatlantic Integration and Trade Representative of Ukraine.
During the Forum, several memorandums were signed under the "Side by Side: Cohesive Communities" initiative. Strong communities are the foundation of resilience, and these cooperation agreements launch community partnerships as mutually beneficial collaborations for the bilateral exchange of knowledge and solutions.
The Forum is organized by the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine as part of the EU4Recovery flagship partnership between the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine.
More information is available at the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine official website.