More than 20 countries, representatives of the European Commission and international financial organisations took part in the High Level Dialogue on Ukraine at the International Transport Forum (ITF) in Kyiv. The key goal of the event was to develop practical solutions to help Ukraine restore and develop its transport infrastructure.

At the opening of the Dialogue, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal noted that Ukraine's infrastructure was one of the most affected sectors. This is also confirmed by the World Bank's estimate of nearly USD 500 billion required for reconstruction. However, despite this, Ukraine faces an important task - to restore all damaged infrastructure, expand logistics capabilities and improve transportation conditions.

The Head of Government stressed that even during the full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to develop logistics, in particular, two new checkpoints with Romania have been opened, and with the support of partners, reconstruction of checkpoints with Poland, Slovakia and Hungary has already begun. Ukraine also managed to ensure the stable operation of the Ukrainian Sea Corridor, which was used by more than 2,800 vessels. This is more than 75 million tonnes of cargo for more than 40 countries, of which more than 50 million tonnes are agricultural products. Among the achievements in the transport sector, the Prime Minister also noted the continuation of the ‘transport visa-free regime’ between Ukraine and the EU, which makes it possible to develop the EU economy and maintain the economic stability of Ukraine.

"The transport network has been and will continue to be the backbone of the economy and people's mobility. That is why we face a number of challenges in the coming period: to quickly restore the transport infrastructure damaged by the russians, to continue to improve and expand our logistics capabilities, and to improve passenger transportation conditions.

The enemy is counting on the fact that the world's support will weaken, that the focus will change, so it is extremely important to focus on supporting Ukraine, supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine and rebuilding," the Prime Minister of Ukraine stressed.

In his turn, Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, said that Ukraine currently faces two challenges in the transport sector. On the one hand, it has to respond quickly to all the damages caused by the enemy, and on the other hand, it has to accelerate its integration into the European transport system, complying with all the standards and requirements of the European Union.

The Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration stressed that the state continues to work on modernising trade routes, sea and land, as a reliable link to the world. Despite the ongoing destruction, the railway and port infrastructure are working hard to ensure the evacuation of people from the frontline areas, transport important goods and ensure uninterrupted access of Ukrainian goods to world markets to prevent a food crisis.

‘I call on all countries to unite around Ukraine and continue to build and restore Ukraine's infrastructure, the way we have been doing for the past two years. Together we can achieve significant results. We can share our experience in adapting and developing alternative logistics routes to strengthen international ties and ensure sustainable economic development of our countries," said Oleksii Kuleba.

Addressing the audience, Young Tae Kim, Secretary-General of the International Transport Forum, stressed that now is the right time to demonstrate our unity and turn plans to help Ukraine into action.

"During our visit, we all had the opportunity to see first-hand the devastation that war brings. We have to help Ukraine with its immediate needs and work for the future to heal the wounds inflicted now. At a time when the railway is damaged, the airspace is closed, and logistics routes are disrupted, we need to think about the future and build a sustainable system of new infrastructure that will be up for the challenges of the future. We need to develop mechanisms for transport reconstruction that will work. The Transport Forum stands ready to support this work. We are not just rebuilding roads, ports and bridges, we are building the future of Ukraine together," stressed Yang Tae Kim.

The Dialogue participants agreed to boost support for recovery and expressed a common desire to develop new logistics routes and strategic ties with Ukraine.

Denmark, the United States of America, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Ukraine have adopted a joint statement. The document aims to ensure more effective targeting of member states' support to the needs of our country and to encourage international financial institutions, governments and the private sector to increase investment in the reconstruction of Ukraine's transport sector.

Sweden's Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson proposed to explore the possibility of creating a fund to support Ukraine's urgent needs in the transport sector. According to him, the Fund will operate on the basis of voluntary contributions from the ITF member countries. Sweden will make the first contribution to the Fund in the amount of SEK 8 million.

As a result of the Dialogue, transport ministers and representatives of member states entrusted the ITF with studying the conditions for more effective targeting of member states' support to the announced urgent needs of Ukraine.

Two roundtables were held during the Forum. The first was dedicated to the formation of a new transport infrastructure in Ukraine, and the second to the key needs and priority projects for the support and development of Ukrainian transport infrastructure. Deputy Ministers for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine Timur Tkachenko, Serhii Derkach and Maryna Denysiuk presented relevant projects and opportunities for cooperation during the roundtables.

It is worth noting that all the participants, who had previously visited Gostomel and Irpin, stressed that Ukraine is doing the impossible in rebuilding transport logistics in the face of the enormous destruction caused by the war.

In December 2023, Lithuania, Sweden, Canada and Ukraine launched the Support Group for Ukraine within the framework of the International Transport Forum (CIG4U) in Kyiv, a platform for cooperation and support for Ukraine under the auspices of the ITF. The platform allows countries to exchange up-to-date information on the immediate needs of Ukraine's transport system and contribute to long-term rehabilitation projects. The first ITF projects in the road, rail and other sectors are currently being implemented in Ukraine with the assistance of Lithuania, Canada and Sweden.

Background information

The International Transport Forum is an intergovernmental organisation with nearly 70 member countries that aims to support the sustainable development of transport and transport infrastructure.