During the event, experts worked out an “Economic recovery plan based on the principles of sustainability”. It will be published on the website of Association of Sustainable Development Experts later.
The forum brought together representatives of business and municipalities, international investors and donors, public figures, state regulators and change-makers who, together with the speakers, worked to create a sustainable business ecosystem for the recovery and development of the economy based on the principles of sustainability.
Among the speakers at the forum were representatives of the CMU, Ministry of Health, NBU, UNDP, UNIDO, IFC, EBRD, FMO, NEFCO, GIZ, the Covenant of Mayors, international investors and donors, as well as representatives of private and state companies. Thanks to which the participants of the forum received information about the conditions of doing business during the war and the possibility of attracting financing for their projects. In order to find opportunities for the development and recovery of the economy based on the principles of sustainability in today’s challenges.
Ukrsibbank BNP Paribas Group, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) became general partners of the Forum.
Oleksandr Yarema, State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, opened the event and emphasized: “Every day, Ukraine fights not only for its territories, but also demonstrates to the world the transition to the path to sustainable development. The fact that today, in the conditions of war, representatives of various industries and spheres of activity have gathered here and are thinking about how to leave the resource potential to the next generation tomorrow, is already a step towards victory in this field as well. For our part, as a state authority, we are working on policies based on the principles of sustainability.”
The head of ASDE Alina Sokolenko noted that this is the second International Sustainability Forum in Ukraine and defined its main goal: “This year it is not just a platform for sharing experiences. We gathered for the common goal of restoring the country’s economy, and the result is the Economic Recovery Plan based on the principles of sustainability. These are the key recommendations and achievements of all stakeholders of the process: the state, business, non-governmental organizations, investors, other participants,” Ms. Sokolenko emphasized.
- The first panel discussed how can policymakers and regulators ensure recovery.
- As part of the second panel, the panel discussed what should corporate governance do to address global threats?
- The third panel discussed how can Ukrainian business turn the environmental and social risks brought by the war into new financing opportunities?
- During the fourth panel – is there any chance for green economy transition via sustainable recovery in the new geopolitical reality?
Serhiy Porovskyy, Energy Efficiency Financing and Policy Expert of the UNIDO/GEF UKR IEE Project, took part in the forum as a speaker of the event.
“UNIDO is a specialized agency of the United Nations with a unique mandate to promote and accelerate sustainable industrial and economic development. UNIDO supports countries to industrialize in a way that facilitates the digital and environmental transition and accelerates progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Among the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals, UNIDO focuses on four:
- Affordable and clean energy;
- Industry, innovation and infrastructure;
- Responsible consumption and production;
- Actions related to climate change prevention.
The program in Ukraine is part of the international industrial energy efficiency program, which is being implemented in 27 countries of the world for 25 years. In Ukraine, the UNIDO/GEF UKR IEE project “Introduction of Energy Management System Standard in Ukrainian Industry” has been operating since 2015. From 2010 to 2020, this program has achieved energy savings of more than 25,000 GWh, equal to more than $400 million, and trained more than 650 experts from more than 500 companies.
UNIDO promotes a systematic approach to energy efficiency, which includes the implementation of an energy management system in accordance with the requirements of the international standard ISO 50001. Because only an energy management system gives a lasting result. A systematic approach provides more than half of the additional financial result compared to a non-systematic approach and the application of individual energy efficiency measures or technologies. Implementation of complex measures can take from six months to a year, but then the company receives savings and positive results on an ongoing basis. After all, they begin to save on what they used to spend on. This reduces production costs, operating costs and increases competitiveness. Energy efficiency is very beneficial for business.
Currently, the Project supports the implementation of the Loan Guarantee Fund and also implements the EnMS Incentive.
In times of war, it is especially important to understand that building a strong competitive economy, much stronger than it was before, is our greatest defense.
Therefore, the main task now is to mobilize large financial resources on the terms that Ukraine needs. Many countries and international institutions provide such assistance. And now it is very necessary to develop a mechanism for how it will work.
The second important point is the creation of guarantee conditions, tools that would remove the risks of force majeure in which we exist. They can be removed using international warranty tools. Create conditions so that international private investments can enter the economy of Ukraine. Because this is the protection of the economy and a prerequisite for a successful green transition.”
You can watch the speeches of all speakers in the broadcast.