The 2024 Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Berlin provides an opportunity to re-set the global policy framework around a concrete plan of action that links Ukraine’s immediate economic needs in the war effort with its long-term re-development goals.
There is a need for high quality policy analysis and research from a range of perspectives to feed into the discussions of the URC’s key themes, i.e. engaging private capital with focus on concrete projects and initiatives; the European aspects of Ukraine’s recovery; regions and cities; and human capital – including the vital role of social protections.
Our side conference on the 10 June 2024, Resilience, Reconstruction, Prosperity: Perspectives for Ukraine’s Economy, will be the culmination of a process that feeds research and policy briefs from civil society and the academic community directly into the Berlin Ukraine Recovery Conference.
Please note that the sessions during the day are invitation-only for in-person participation, however, there will be a live stream in English of all main sessions accessible to the public. A detailed programme can be found here.
The conference will conclude with a public panel discussion on 10 June at 7 pm on Ukraine’s Recovery in the European Context with Svenja Schulze, German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development and N.N. (Government of Ukraine), moderated by Sonja Zekri, Süddeutsche Zeitung.
The public panel discussion will also be live streamed in English and Ukrainian.
Please register by 3 June 2024 for in-person attendance of the public panel discussion in the evening of the 10 June 2024.
Charlotte Dietrich
Charlotte.Dietrich(at)fes.de
Veronika Haluch
Veronika.Haluch(at)fes.de
Press Contact
Johannes Damian
Presse(at)fes.de
In-person attendance of the following sessions are by personal invitation only. You can follow all main sessions (excluding break-out sessions) via our publicly available live stream (in English)
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.
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?
Moderator: Natalia Shapoval, KSE
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?
Moderator: Felix Hett, FES
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?
Moderator: Julia Soldatiuk-Westerveld, Clingendael Institute
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.
Moderator: Chris Alden, Director LSE IDEAS
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?
Moderator: N.N.
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?
Moderator: Luke Cooper, LSE
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?
Moderator: Charlotte Dietrich, FES
This public discussion will bring together representatives of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Government of Ukraine to discuss Ukraine’s European future. What are the biggest challenges for Ukraine’s Recovery in the short and in the long term? Does the opportunity of EU Integration help Ukraine’s Recovery, and if yes, in what ways? Is there a risk that the many tasks of fighting the war, readying the country for EU membership and rebuilding from ruins might overburden state and society? How can the opposition to EU membership of Ukraine inside the EU best be overcome? How can Germany constructively contribute to this process?
Moderator: Sonja Zekri, Journalist, Süddeutsche Zeitung