On November 7, 2024, the 10th anniversary Kyiv International Economic Forum (KIEF) was held under the theme “The Power of Challenge. What will shape the future of Ukraine and the world?”. For the third time, the Forum was held under martial law, bringing together leading experts, government and business representatives to discuss the most pressing challenges and prospects for Ukraine in the modern world.
This year’s forum focused on key issues such as protecting Ukraine’s economic interests in the EU, challenges for human capital, prospects for the energy system, development of Ukrainian Defense Tech, and coordination of business with the government to rebuild Ukraine.
The participants paid special attention to Ukraine’s integration into international economic initiatives, including Interreg Europe, the EU’s interregional cooperation program that supports local governments and provides grant assistance to communities.
Representatives of the Ukraine Reconstruction Fund (URF), who participated in the forum, emphasized the importance of creating a favorable economic environment for the development of projects in frontline communities and the importance of expanding opportunities for interregional cooperation.
“It is important for Ukraine to attract investment and implement large-scale projects, especially in the frontline regions where communities need support the most. Participation in programs such as Interreg Europe allows not only to attract funding but also to share experiences, creating strong partnerships,” said Oleksiy Kuleba, Vice Prime Minister for Reconstruction of Ukraine, during the discussion.
Particular attention was also paid to the integration of Ukraine’s transport infrastructure with the European network, which is an important step towards expanding logistics capabilities.
The Kyiv International Economic Forum, which serves as an annual discussion platform, continues to play an important role in shaping Ukraine’s development strategies, promoting economic growth and international cooperation.