Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 - Side Event

In-person attendance of the following sessions are by personal invitation only. You can follow all main sessions (excluding break-out sessions) via ZOOM (in English).

Welcome Coffee and Registration

Opening of the Conference: Envisioning Ukraine’s Recovery and Resilience from London to Berlin

This opening session will introduce the themes and questions for the day and offer an initial assessment of Ukraine’s progress and challenges in the face of the Russian invasion.

• Reiner Hoffmann, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
• Tymofiy Mylovanov, President, Kyiv School of Economics (KSE)
• Luke Cooper, London School of Economics (LSE)
• Louise van Schaik, Clingendael Institute

Panel I: Public Investment, Industrial Policy and the Private Sector: Connecting the War-Time and Post-War Economy 

Ukraine’s industrial sector and SMEs are going through an acute process of war-induced change, ‘militarisation’ and a restructuring of relations with the state. How can the state proactively support business and SMEs? How can a wartime ‘industrial strategy’ support future recovery and reconstruction? What role should localisation/insourcing play? And how can donors calibrate their support to the needs of Ukraine’s economy in the course of the war?

• Volodymyr Kuzyo, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine
• Gabriel Blanc, Ukraine Service, European Commission
• Volodymyr Vlasiuk, Ukraine Industry Expertise
• Vladyslav Rashkovan, Alternative Executive Director, International Monetary Fund

Moderator: Natalia Shapoval, KSE

Lunch

Panel II: Financing War and Recovery: Debt Sustainability and Macroeconomic policy

Ensuring macroeconomic stability and sustainable financing remains critical to maintaining Ukraine’s economic and military resilience. How do we assess the debt challenge facing Ukraine? What factors will influence its long-term debt sustainability? What domestic and international mechanisms for sustainable financing should be utilised? And what trade offs does Ukraine need to face?

• Olga Zykova, Deputy Minister of Finance of Ukraine
• Taras Fedirko, Glasgow University
• Yuliya Yurchenko, University of Greenwich
• Elina Ribakova, Kyiv School of Economics (KSE)

Moderator: Luke Cooper (LSE)

Break-Out Session A: The Role of Local Government in Ukraine’s Recovery

Reconstruction efforts in Ukraine will likely occur within the framework of a civil-military administration, potentially presenting specific challenges, particularly at the local level. What role will local governments play in increasing the resilience of the Ukrainian post-war governance structure or economy? What strategies can the state employ to stimulate local revenue generation and local ownership through its institutions, with the objective of swiftly restoring self-sufficiency to local governments? In what ways can local governments attract FDI to contribute to the economic recovery of Ukraine on a local level? What policies or incentives can be put in place to encourage job creation and sustainable economic growth at the local level in Ukraine?

Please note: The Break-Out Sessions take place in House 2, Hiroshimastrasse 28, Room 1.02 (First Floor)

• Roger Myerson, David L. Pearson Distinguished Service Professor Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago
• Inna Semenenko, Prof. of Economics and Entrepreneurship at Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University, Local Government Project VNG International
• Bohdan Ferens, Founder of the SD Platform of Ukraine
• Nataliya Nazarenko, International Cooperation Manager Association of Ukrainian Cities

Moderator: Julia Soldatiuk-Westerveld, Clingendael Institute

Coffee Break

Panel III: Priority Sectors of the Ukrainian Economy: Combining Economic Resilience with Ecological Sustainability

As part of its preparation for the EU Ukraine Facility, the Ukrainian Government has identified five priority sectors for 2024 - 2027: construction, metallurgy, agriculture, energy and transportation. This session will review some of the immediate tasks facing reconstruction in these priority areas and how they should be calibrated overtime to support sustainable and green transition.

• Oleksiy Sobolev, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine (tbc)
• Anna Ackermann, Policy analyst, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Board member, Centre for Environmental Initiatives “Ecoaction"
• Olga Slyvynska, Kyiv School of Economics
• Brian Milakovsky, Associate Researcher, PeaceRep Ukraine

Moderator: Chris Alden, Director LSE IDEAS

Break-Out Session B: Social Cohesion at the Centre: Feminist Perspectives on Recovery

A recovery agenda focussed on liberalisation and privatisation risks neglecting the interests of vulnerable groups in the Ukrainian society and threatens social cohesion. What recovery strategies should be given a priority from a feminist perspective? How can recovery lead to social sustainability and increase cohesion?

Please note: The Break-Out Sessions take place in House 2, Hiroshimastrasse 28, Room 1.02 (First Floor)

• Natalia Lomonosova, CEDOS
• Maryna Shevtsova, KU Leuven
• Claire Duncanson, University of Edinburgh

Moderator: Charlotte Dietrich, FES

Coffee Break

Panel IV: The Role of Human Capital and Social Partnership in War and Recovery

Damage and needs assessments often understate human capital losses which are likely to be very significant in Ukraine. Many firms already face shortages of skilled workers and balancing military and civilian needs is extremely challenging. How can social dialogue policies support the protection of Ukraine’s human capital? What social policies can protect societal wellbeing? How do business, trade unions and civil society assess current economic challenges?

• Tetyana Berezhna, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine
• Domenico Campogrande, Director General, European Construction Industry Federation FIEC
• Oleksandr Shubin, Vice-President of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine
• Barbara Rambousek, Director Gender & Economic Inclusion, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Moderator: Felix Hett, FES

Break-Out Session C: Holding Russia Accountable: Seizure of Russian Sovereign Assets 

In light of the shifting political landscape and uncertain future funding for Ukraine, coalition countries consider to advance “Plan B” – confiscation of Russian assets. What are the primary challenges for policymakers – legal, economic, and other? Could a doctrine of countermeasures offer a viable solution? How has the recently adopted REPO Act changed the trajectory of such efforts? What are alternative strategies: using proceeds, issuing bonds on behalf of Ukraine, and other “exotic” measures?

Please note: The Break-Out Sessions take place in House 2, Hiroshimastrasse 28, Room 1.02 (First Floor)

• Anna Vlasyuk, Legal research fellow, KSE Institute
• Dr. Thomas Grant, Fellow, Lauterpacht Centre for International Law, Cambridge University
• Yuliya Ziskina, Senior Legal Fellow, Razom for Ukraine
• Nigel Gould-Davies, Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia, IISS
• Zakhar Tropin, Director of the International Cooperation and Representation Department, Ministry of Justice

Moderator: Benjamin Hilgenstock, KSE

Networking Dinner