On March 5, 2025, the event "On the Way to URC-2025" began in Milan, marking a key stage in the preparation for the Fourth International Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine, URC-2025, which will be held in Rome. The event was opened by the Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Antonio Tajani, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Yuliya Svyrydenko, Special Representative of Italy for Ukraine's Reconstruction, Davide La Cecilia, and President of the Lombardy Region Attilio Fontana.
The opening panel of the event featured the Director-General of DG ENEST, Gert-Jan Koopman, the Vice President of Confindustria for Export and Investment Attraction, and Vice President of the Business Advisory Council, Barbara Cimmino, as well as the Director General of ICE Agenzia, Lorenzo Galanti.
"This event marks a new stage in cooperation between Ukraine and Italy. Italy has been and remains a reliable partner in providing assistance in defense, energy, and other areas. Today, we face another challenge — the reconstruction of Ukraine, the needs of which, according to the World Bank, are estimated at $542 billion for the next decade. This reconstruction will require active involvement from the private sector. That is why our meeting focuses on developing business ties: about 150 Ukrainian entrepreneurs from key industries are here today to find new opportunities for cooperation with Italian partners. I am grateful to Italy for all the support provided," said Yuliya Svyrydenko.
The key objective of the preparatory event "On the Way to URC-2025" within the business dimension was to mobilize the international private sector for the implementation of reconstruction and recovery projects. It brought together representatives from the Ukrainian and Italian governments, international financial organizations, and more than 550 companies from 23 countries, including Iveco Group N.V., ELTEC, Green Energy GmbH, Bayer, FIEC, Bloom Energy, Consorzio Oil & Gas Alliance, FAE Group, PPG, and others, to explore policies and discuss investment mechanisms that can be implemented at the Rome conference. The event will include panel discussions and working sessions focused on strategic development directions.
Key topics of the event:
- Stimulating Investment and Access to Financing: Discussions on existing financing tools, risk insurance, and government incentives for foreign investors. Representatives from international financial organizations (EBRD, IFC, EIB, etc.) will present current funding and business support programs in Ukraine.
- Energy Resilience and Green Transition: Analysis of long-term recovery needs and the mobilization of the private sector to create a sustainable, "green" energy system in post-war reconstruction. The focus will be on investments in renewable energy and decentralized technological solutions for the energy system.
- Industrial Production and Processing: Stimulating production in various sectors, expanding exports of value-added products, and technology transfer. Participants will also explore ways to increase production capacities of Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- Infrastructure and Housing Sector Modernization: Development of road and rail infrastructure and housing for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
- Strategic Role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Discussion on strategies to involve SMEs in large-scale reconstruction projects funded by the Ukrainian government and international financial organizations. Special attention will be paid to the role of multilateral development banks and the private banking sector in involving SMEs in recovery projects.
Particular attention will be given to cooperation between the Lombardy region and the Zaporizhzhia region, the presentation of a master plan for the recovery of Mykolaiv, and the initiative "Future School for Ukraine", which focuses on an innovative, sustainable, and inclusive approach to building new schools across the country in accordance with the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB).
As part of the main program, a series of seminars and workshops will be held, during which Italian and European companies will receive up-to-date information on business opportunities in Ukraine, investment prospects, and will establish direct contacts with Ukrainian manufacturers.
The event is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy in collaboration with ICE Agenzia, the Lombardy Region, and the Government of Ukraine.
