The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal took part in the official opening of the Reformers Hub knowledge exchange initiative, which is part of the comprehensive Ukraine Reforms Architecture 2.0 technical assistance program developed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in partnership with the European Union.

The event was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus at the EBRD Matteo Patrone, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Katariná Mathernová, the Head of the UK Prime Minister’s Tony Blair Delivery Unit, Sir Michael Barber and others.

Denys Shmyhal stressed that the creation of platforms for professional development is an important element in the formation of a professional and effective civil service, which will allow the state to qualitatively fulfill the service function.

"I thank our international partners for their help in such endeavors. The Reformers Hub initiative is the platform that will promote professional development, exchange of experience with our international partners and introduction of innovations. It is an opportunity to increase knowledge and practical skills for all those who work in the civil service," noted the Prime Minister.

The Head of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine highlighted that the reform of the civil service is one of the priorities of the Government, as it is the basis for the successful implementation of all other reforms. Apart from that, the Prime Minister told that a number of reforms had been launched in Ukraine and they were further being implemented thanks to the work of the President, the Government and with the support of the Parliament.

In particular, Denys Shmyhal reminded that the introduction of a civilized land market was expected this year, which is an important result of land reform. "In the long run, the introduction of the market will give an impetus to GDP growth, increase in investment and will become the ground for the development of small agribusinesses," said the Prime Minister.

The Head of Government also touched upon the topic of decentralization, noting that as a result of the reform, more and more communities are experiencing a new quality of life at the local level and have all the necessary resources for self-sufficiency.

According to Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine continues to work systematically to leverage foreign investment through privatization and other important reforms.

"Work continues in the direction of introducing a cumulative pension system, a full-fledged launch of the stock market. Perhaps the most revolutionary changes in the direction of digitalization and improvement of public services are brought about by the Ministry of Digital Transformation," said Denys Shmyhal emphasizing that such changes would be impossible without civil servants who daily develop solutions and implement them in practice.