All-Ukrainian Mayors’ Summit: Recovery Strategy and the Future of Ukraine
As of the beginning of full scale invasion, Alliance of European Mayors partnered with Mayor’s Club Ukraine trying to contribute to their efforts focused on economic development of municipalities across Ukraine. Upcoming All-Ukrainian Mayors’ Summit taking place in Kyiv on November 8th, aimed at uniting efforts to rebuild and develop Ukrainian cities, was the occasion to talk to Yulia Chufistova, Executive Director of the Mayors’ Club Ukraine and Henry Sterenberg, President of WTC Kyiv and Economy Of Trust Ukraine Inc.
- After organizing successful state-level visits of Ukrainian mayors and businesses to Japan, Netherlands and United States, its time to gather all the mayors of Ukraine in Kyiv and invite guests to come to Ukraine. Tell us more about the Summit?
Yulia Chufistova: The idea for the All-Ukrainian Mayors’ Summit has been brewing for a long time. We understood that for the effective development of cities and communities, a synergy of efforts among municipal leaders, exchange of experience, and best practices is necessary. The summit has become a logical continuation of our mission – to unite and support leaders of local self-government.
Henry Sternberg: I fully agree with Yulia. We have also long been considering the idea of bringing together mayors of cities, experts, business representatives, and international partners. After all, only through dialogue, partnership, and trust can we rebuild our country and ensure its prosperity. The summit is a platform for such dialogue and cooperation.
There are a lot of conferences devoted to the recontraction of Ukraine and you take part in many of them. What is the main goal of this summit you organize and what do you hope to achieve?
Yulia Chufistova: Our goal is not just to hold another forum, but to start a new era in the development of local self-government. We want mayors to gain new knowledge, ideas, and motivation to transform their communities. For them to see successful cases of other cities and be able to implement them in their own. We want to join forces to develop new strategies that will help our communities overcome the challenges that have arisen before us. As I always say, “Together we can achieve more than alone.”
Henry Sternberg: It is important that the summit participants understand that the recovery of Ukraine is not only a matter for the state, but also for business and international organizations. Therefore, another important goal is to involve our international partners in the dialogue. We want them to see the potential of Ukrainian cities, believe in them, and invest in their development. There are many foreign investors in Ukraine who want to help, but they need clear information about how and where to invest their funds. At the summit, we will provide this information and show that Ukraine is ready for cooperation. The summit should become a platform for new partnerships and projects that will give a boost to the economy of our communities.
You already have established partnerships with international organization from across Europe and globally, so what program have you prepared in order to foster them further towards the goal of recontraction?
Yulia Chufistova: Oh, believe me, there will be plenty of highlights! Firstly, we have assembled an incredibly powerful lineup of speakers – these are both well-known Ukrainian and international experts, and successful innovative mayors, and representatives of leading companies. They will share their success stories and their vision for the future of cities. Secondly, we have prepared a rich and varied program – from strategic sessions to practical workshops. Each participant will be able to find something interesting and useful for themselves. And there will also be a special section at the summit dedicated to the best municipal practices. Mayors will be able to present their successful projects and initiatives, inspire colleagues, and perhaps even find partners for their scaling. And of course, we have made sure that the summit has a warm and relaxed atmosphere, conducive to communication and networking. After all, the most valuable thing is people and the connections between them.
How do you see the future of Ukrainian cities after the summit?
Henry Sternberg: I believe that our future will be bright. If we can work together, Ukrainian cities can become modern, innovative centers. The future belongs to those who are ready for change.
And I urge participants to be open to the new, to learn from each other, and not to stop there. The world is changing rapidly, and our cities must change along with it to be comfortable, safe, and prosperous. Believe in Ukraine, believe in yourself – and everything will work out! I also call on everyone to be active. By working together, we can build a country that we will be proud of. Let’s do it together!
Yulia Chufistova: Our team is confident that Ukraine has the potential to become a European leader in many areas. The summit is just the first step towards this. As I always repeat, “Our strength is in unity.”
I would wish all the participants of the summit inspiration, courage, and faith in themselves. So that they are not afraid to dream, set ambitious goals, and implement bold projects. So that they feel like part of a large municipal family, where everyone is ready to support and help. Together we are strong!
I want to call on everyone who cares about the fate of Ukraine to join our summit. Your ideas and suggestions can become the basis for our future changes.
