To support Ukraine, the Association of Sustainable Development Experts (ASDE), an international professional community of like-minded people and experts in sustainable development and financing, united to create a regional sustainable business ecosystem for the recovery and development of the economy based on the principles of sustainability, is organizing a two-day International Sustainable Development Forum ISF2023 in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Ukraine.
The purpose of the event, which will be held on September 20 and 21, is to consolidate stakeholders, in particular, the business sector of Ukraine and the EU, international investment banks and funds, as well as the executive and legislative authorities to conduct an effective and practical discussion on attracting investments with the aim of restoring Ukraine to principles of sustainability. The forum will consist of interactive panel discussions, presentation of current research, programs and plans, and the result will be the creation of the Green Strategy of Ukraine for the next 20 years.
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, as well as 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. The green strategy of Ukraine should become a priority and a philosophy for all of Ukraine.
The participants of the Forum will be state structures - Ministry of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine , Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, financial institutions and funds – IFC, EBRD, GIZ, EDFI, EU Platform on Sustainable Finance, etc., Ukrainian and international companies from various sectors of the economy, public organizations and associations, financial sector, UN programs .
"The war set the country back several years, or even decades, in its development. Compared to other European countries, Ukraine must move much faster, and not only confront the enemy today in economic terms, but also build a new economy in accordance with European standards. Since any threat is primarily an opportunity, - says Alina Sokolenko, Head of ASDE, international expert on sustainable financing and ISF2023 ideologue. – Ukraine embarked on the path of green recovery, the goal of which is to rebuild, promote openness, transparency and fundamental European values and standards, take into account the global goals of sustainable development, achieve energy independence, strengthen inclusiveness and ensure public safety. Together with international and national governmental and non-governmental partners, we aim to develop the Green Strategy of Ukraine for the next 20 years, and the starting point for this should be the International Forum for Sustainable Development 2023."
On September 20, as part of the first day, challenges and opportunities for the green recovery of Ukraine, requirements for international business financing in the context of EU regulation, opportunities for Ukrainian companies to enter the international market, and the development of international partnerships for the formation of a sustainable economy of the future will be discussed.
The forum in Kyiv will be attended by:
- Oksana Zholnovich – Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine;
- Oleksandr Azarkhin – Assistant to the Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine;
- Oleksandr Yarema – State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine;
- Maria Mezentseva – head of the Permanent Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe;
- Denis Shemyakin – director of the reform support team of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine;
- Like Silje – main representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Ukraine;
- Kateryna Rozhkova – First Deputy Head of the National Bank of Ukraine;
- Serhii Porovskyi – Chief Expert on Energy Efficiency Financing and Policy, UNIDO.
The ISF2023 Forum in The Hague will open on September 21 Oleksandr Karasevich, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The second day of the forum will begin with discussions on the impact of the global green agenda and the Ukraine Recovery Plan, green and sustainable urban recovery in Ukraine, the transition to a green economy, the impact of the war on the agricultural sector of Ukraine: the results of the ASDE/WWF survey, financing the recovery of agribusiness in Ukraine: sustainable practices and business ecosystem etc.
The forum in The Hague will be attended by:
- Olena Voloshyna – level of activity of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Ukraine;
- Bram Reinen - Head of the Department of Food, Agriculture and Water Resources, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa at FMO – the Dutch Development Bank;
- Yaroslav Demchenkov – Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine for European Integration;
- Dimitri Gvindadze – head of the climate strategy and regional development department of the EBRD;
- Ashot Abrahamyan – Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lviv;
- Emile de Severin Jaquet – Chairman of the Dutch-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce;
- Oleksandr Repkin – member of the board of the energy association "Ukrainian Hydrogen Council";
- George Andrew Tan – an expert on mine countermeasures.
The full program of the forum can be found on the organizer's website – ASDE.
Representatives of public organizations, financiers, leading managers of companies, representatives of international governmental and non-governmental organizations, politicians are invited to participate in the event. You can register at the link.
"Since the beginning of the war, Ukrainian cities and enterprises have faced unprecedented challenges that have a devastating impact on business and the natural environment, - says Yana Konyok, executive director of ASDE. – For the first time, we are bringing representatives of Ukrainian and European politics and business together to hold a "brainstorming session" with a high level of interactivity, panel sessions, presentations and discussions to find solutions for the recovery of our country's economy. The practical discussion will be aimed at discussing important issues related to the creation of a sustainable business ecosystem in Ukraine."
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 common 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.
