The forum gathered more than 700 participants – leading sustainable development experts, representatives of the executive and legislative authorities of Ukraine, the business sector of Ukraine and the EU, public organizations and associations, UN programs, as well as diplomats and journalists.

During the two days of the International Sustainability Forum 2023, speakers and participants discussed such topics as: “Financing the green recovery of Ukraine”, “Transition to a green economy”, “Financing the recovery of agribusiness in Ukraine”, “Green and sustainable urban recovery in Ukraine”, etc.

The result of joint work was the formation of the fundamental principles of the “Green Strategy of Ukraine” for the next 20 years, which will be presented to the government of Ukraine in the near future.

Green strategy of Ukraine is a country’s development strategy based on the principles of sustainability, taking into account the requirements of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, international partnership, and current challenges. This is a set of initiatives, a clear road map, a practical action plan that will be created at the International Sustainability Forum 2023 and submitted to the government.

Alina Sokolenko, Head of ASDE, an international expert on sustainable financing and ISF2023 ideologue

“It would seem that during the war, numerous crises and challenges, the sustainable development of society sounds rather skeptical. However, the key principles of sustainable development should be included in every decision at all levels of state policy, – says Alina Sokolenko, Head of ASDE, international expert on sustainable financing and ISF2023 ideologue. – Environmental, social and management criteria are the language of investments, which Ukraine should take into account in the dialogue with Western European partners. Therefore, at the Forum, we set the goal of developing a practical mechanism, and later a strategy for the country’s development based on the principles of sustainability, with the involvement of all key stakeholders both inside the country and outside.”

The main theses voiced during the first day of the forum

Regarding the challenges and opportunities for the green recovery of Ukraine

Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine

Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, emphasized the need for changes in the social sphere: “The state’s success on this path depends on reducing the number of benefits and social categories. Since social policy is not about payments, it is about providing society with services, which is currently lacking in Ukraine. Thanks to new tools and mechanisms, the ministry aims to develop the market of services for various categories of consumers, introducing digitalization of services and developing inclusiveness.”

Oleksandra Azarkhina, Deputy Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine, spoke about prospects and projects for the recovery of Ukraine:  “The Ministry of Reconstruction has developed a plan for prioritizing the restoration of infrastructure. In addition, it is important to find tools where Ukrainian society is not just a consumer of reconstruction, but also a direct accomplice, seeing the value of developing a country of opportunities for future generations. Sustainable development is a difficult but important issue for Ukraine, especially when the country has to cover the urgent basic needs of society during a war.”

Oleg Terletskyi and Oleksandra Azarkhina, Deputy Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine

Regarding the financing of the green recovery of Ukraine

Kateryna Rozhkova, First Deputy Head of the National Bank of Ukraine, emphasized that the recovery of Ukraine should already take place in accordance with ESG standards, because this will significantly save resources in the future: “Financial policy must be constantly updated in accordance with national changes and international challenges. While the banking sector is an intermediary in the distribution of financial resources, in the approval of business projects special attention is paid to compliance with non-financial standards. The world is ready to provide funds to those companies that are mentally prepared to comply with environmental, social and management principles, which in turn opens up many opportunities.”

Carolina Bright, IFC Regional ESG Advisor for Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Pakistan, spoke about the specifics of the implementation of ESG principles in the activities of IFC: “Since these standards are a critical element of international activity, banks and financial institutions invest only in responsible companies. After all, it is necessary for the sustainability of international business to function. Companies must protect the environment and employees, and the state must protect the sustainability of business, this is an interconnected system.”

Regarding the crisis response partnership and sustainable development program in Ukraine

Oleksandr Yarema, State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, shared the opinion that both private business and the state should be open to effective dialogue: “During a full-scale war, the interaction between the various stakeholders produced unexpectedly fast results, but it is important to develop and maintain the existing level of cooperation. It is necessary that at every stage there should be a fruitful partnership, and citizens should be involved in cooperation. Through various initiatives, it is important to form a new culture of interaction and rebuild the country according to the principle of “better than it was”.

Oleksandr Yarema, State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine

Oleksiy Sobolev, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, said: “The Ministry of Economy is developing a plan for Ukraine’s green transition, but this plan cannot be implemented without consolidating efforts with the public sector and business. Adherence to the principles of sustainable development will contribute to faster recovery of the Ukrainian economy in the post-war period.” 

Serhiy Porovskyy, Chief Energy Efficiency Financing and Policy Expert, at UNIDO and Special Advisor to the Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine (SAEE), noted that “adherence to the goals of sustainable development is important, especially in the context of ensuring justice. Being in the conditions of war, our request for justice will only grow, and thanks to this we have to build a country of free and intelligent people. Ukraine does not ask for money for reconstruction, we have the right to it, because fighting a maniacal enemy, we need international support and compensation. And for this, it is important to conduct a constant dialogue with foreign partners “.

Oleksiy Sobolev, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Oleksandr Yarema, State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, and Serhiy Pokrovsky

Yana Konyok, Executive Director of the Association of Experts on Sustainable Development, emphasized the statement that sustainable development is a balance between economic development, public sector and environmental indicators. “Thanks to the establishment of mutual understanding and cooperation between business, society and government, we can implement the right solutions for the effective recovery and modernization of the country.” – added the expert.

Yana Konyok, Executive Director of the Association of Experts on Sustainable Development

On September 21, the International Sustainability Forum 2023 opened in The Hague Oleksandr Karasevich, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The second day was dedicated to discussing the impact of the global green agenda and the Recovery Plan of Ukraine, the recovery of cities in Ukraine in accordance with the principles of the circular economy, fair energy transformation, the impact of the war on the agricultural sector of Ukraine, and financing the recovery of agribusiness in Ukraine.

Main theses voiced during the second day of the forum

Regarding the impact of the global agenda on the Green Recovery Plan of Ukraine

Dimitri Gvindadze, Head of the Department of Climate Strategy and Regional Development (EBRD), Ashot Abrahamyan, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lviv, Dariusz Prazek, Kateryna Chechulina, Emil Sevren Jaquet, Chairman of the Dutch-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, and Jasper Klapwik

Dimitri Gvindadze, Head of Climate Strategy and Regional Development Department, EBRD, noted that the restoration of Ukraine is one of the main priorities of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as the largest investor in the country: “The EBRD in Ukraine is engaged in promoting trade, energy and food security, infrastructure development, ensuring the liquidity of municipalities, supporting business and the private sector, and promoting state reform. It is important to make the green transition at all levels, from production to taxation.”

Ashot Abrahamyan, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lviv, shared the opinion that business and the private sector play a huge role in Ukraine’s accession to the EU: “Not only communities should bring changes in the country, but also enterprises should also be leading participants in the recovery of Ukraine. The application of ESG principles and the latest technologies will significantly affect the economic growth of the state. It is also important to understand that the reconstruction of Ukraine is not necessary after the end of the war, this process must be actively carried out now.”

Regarding the green and sustainable regeneration of cities in Ukraine

Emile de Sevren Jaquet, Chairman of the Dutch-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, confirmed that in Ukraine, small and medium-sized businesses form the basis of the economy. Their effective activity will directly affect the restoration of the state. At the same time, it is important to find a balance between financial integrity and stimulation of investments in sustainable development, as well as to strengthen cooperation between European and Ukrainian businesses. It is necessary to ensure Ukraine’s access to capital, this is a challenge, but investing in the Ukrainian economy will have long-term results and help build a sustainable and successful future.

Regarding the financing of the restoration of agribusiness in Ukraine

Bram Reinen, Head of Food, Agriculture and Water, Europe, Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa at FMO – The Dutch Development Bank reported that since the beginning of the war, the flow of private investments in the agriculture of Ukraine has significantly decreased, due to increased risks. The introduction of innovations in all production processes and the provision of state guarantees for foreign investors will help to change the situation.

About the organizer

The Association of Experts on Sustainable Development is an independent public organization created in April 2020 with the aim of forming a culture of sustainability in society through: advocacy, training, international cooperation and high-quality interaction between business and the public sector. ASDE is a powerful center of sustainability in the countries of Europe and Central Asia, which forms a sustainable partnership ecosystem through the implementation of projects, initiatives, and the dissemination of experience and knowledge. Thanks to shared values, exchange of experiences and mutual support of the community, the organization realizes its potential in the formation of a green economy and a sustainable civil society. Association website.