News from 2024-06-07 / KfW Development Bank
KfW to participate in reconstruction conference
On 11 and 12 June, the third Ukraine Recovery Conference since the start of Russia’s fullscale war of aggression will take place in Berlin. It brings together around 1,500 representatives of governments, international organisations, civil society and the private sector. KfW will also be present with a delegation, including the executive board.
The conference is intended to send a signal of solidarity to the people of Ukraine. At the same time, it focusses on the need to continue to provide a strong civilian component to Ukraine’s support alongside military assistance. “Doctors are just as important as tanks,” Development Minister Svenja Schulze said during a recent visit to Ukraine, explaining the reasoning of this part of the international support.
Ensuring sufficient resources
In concrete terms, the meeting is supposed to ensure that Ukraine continues to get sufficient international resources for reconstruction and reconstruction, for reforms and for modernisation measures. Another issue at stake in Berlin is the question of the conditions under which the economy can play a greater role in sustainable reconstruction. KfW wants to use the conference to strengthen cooperation between the international community and private investors. “Reconstruction will only succeed if the international community and private investors work together,” said KfW board member Christiane Laibach before the conference. Another important issue to be discussed will be Ukraine's rapprochement with the EU and the reforms necessary for this: At the end of 2023, the EU decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine.
KfW’s commitment on behalf of the Federal Government and the EU has made a relevant contribution to all of this - not just since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression. The focus of KfW´s activities are energy and nature conservation, internally displaced persons and host communities, social infrastructure in municipalities, economic development and vocational training. Only in early May, KfW promised Ukraine another EUR 45 million for repairs to the energy infrastructure, which is regularly targeted by Russian attacks. In total, KfW is currently supporting Ukraine with more than 60 ongoing projects on behalf of the Federal Government and the EU, comprising a total volume of EUR 1.2 billion.
New contracts, new commitments
During the conference in Berlin, KfW will also sign a series of agreements and contracts to further strengthen cooperation with Ukraine. They underline Germany's intention to take responsibility and continue to stand by Ukraine in a reliable manner.
