Structured program of Ukraine’s reconstruction to be presented at international summit – President’s Office

The relevant statement was made by the Office of the President of Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

At the instruction of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a meeting of the Presidium of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine. The meeting participants discussed the course of preparations for hosting the international summit of communities and regions.

According to Yermak, the upcoming summit will be an important international event with high levels of engagement of representatives of various states and foreign communities. The event is going to confirm that the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is a platform for the effective interaction of city and community leaders.

Thanks to the platform, representatives of local authorities can directly discuss issues of Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, initiatives to normalize community life, and, most importantly, receive comprehensive support from organizers and partners.

“Today, we already have many examples of cooperation, but everyone expects a more structured program from us. And I hope that the Congress will become such a platform,” Yermak said.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Oleksiy Kuleba mentioned that, as of April 15, 2023, 91 representatives from 18 countries confirmed their personal participation in the summit. Another 111 representatives from 36 countries are ready to participate via video links.

“The invited participants have expressed their desire to visit the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions, where they will have the opportunity to see with their own eyes the consequences of the occupation and hostilities, the destruction caused by the Russian army,” Kuleba noted.

In his words, at the summit, a discussion of reintegrating Ukrainian territories, overcoming humanitarian challenges, and restoring community life with the participation of international governmental and non-governmental organizations is planned. The event participants will also raise the issue of demining and innovative development of territories.

The final declaration and some partnership agreements are expected to be signed at the municipal level.

At the same time, Ukrainian parliamentarians are improving legislation in the field of local self-government. Head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on State Building, Local Self-Governance, Regional Development and Urban Planning MP Olena Shuliak reported on progress in preparations for the second reading of the draft bill ‘On Service in Local Self-Government Bodies’. In her words, this draft bill is important, as it defines the legal independence of the service in local self-government bodies, regulates the salaries of employees, transparent recruitment process, and also provides for the de-politicization of governance processes, etc.

“We understand that local self-government bodies will be one of the key drivers of Ukraine’s recovery. Therefore, a transparent recruitment procedure, transparent career growth, and work based on the KPI approved are the things that will make it possible to recruit motivated, decent and professional people for service in the local self-government bodies,” Shuliak explained, adding that this document had already been approved and is ready for consideration at the second reading in the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine