The 11th Kyiv International Economic Forum: “Ukraine 2.0: The Power of People” was held in Kyiv

The 11th Kyiv International Economic Forum was held in Kyiv. The theme of this year's Forum is "Ukraine 2.0: The Power of People". The event brought together over 1,000 participants - representatives of the government, diplomatic corps and embassies, international organizations, business leaders and top managers of leading companies, entrepreneurs, investors, representatives of the public sector and the expert community. The title media partner of the event was 1+1 media.

Discussions at the Forum continued within the framework of 15 discussion panels, in which over 100 speakers from Ukraine and the world took part. The focus was on the development of the economy in the conditions of a protracted war and global changes: how to maintain macrostability and competitiveness, attract investments and integrate into global chains, develop industry and technologies, and strengthen energy sustainability. Special attention was paid to the role of people in the transformation of the country - their leadership, entrepreneurship and ability to make decisions that determine the direction of economic changes.

The Forum was opened by the Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Oleksiy Sobolev, who recorded a video address to the Forum participants.

“The war forced about 10 million Ukrainians to leave their homes. Direct losses amount to 176 billion dollars, and economic losses – 589 billion. Despite these challenges, we see that the economy is growing. Our business has survived, adapted and continues to develop. It continues to work even during blackouts and with disrupted logistics. And it is this flexibility and creativity that is our key competitive advantage,” Oleksiy Sobolev noted.

The Minister added that the state is working to create favorable conditions for business development – ​​providing access to financing through EU and international bank programs, supporting industry and processing, developing industrial parks, stimulating investments in strategic industries, reducing risks for investors and continuing deregulation.

“People are at the center of all changes. This year’s Forum confirmed how great the potential of Ukrainians is. Despite the fact that we have been living in a total crisis for almost 4 years, we remain in the country, invest in the economy and take responsibility. Only joint actions and trust between business, the state and society determine which country we will live in tomorrow. The most important thing is to create opportunities for people to plan their future and live with dignity here, in Ukraine,” emphasized Vasyl Khmelnytsky, the initiator of the forum, founder of the UFuture holding.

The Forum showed that Ukrainian business has not only adapted to the conditions of war, but is also actively shaping a new economy - through innovation, education and people development. Companies invest in training programs, support universities, create their own educational initiatives and technological projects aimed at training future specialists. Participants emphasized that partnership between the state and business, deregulation, digital solutions and trust are the basis for attracting investments and sustainable economic recovery of the country.

Summing up the Forum, KIEF CEO Yuriy Pyvovarov noted that one of the key issues in the discussions was security, because it is not known when the war will end, and that is why the issue of economic sustainability comes to the fore.

“Ukraine 2.0 is not about returning to the past, but about building a new country: with an innovative economy, a capable security and defense system, a partnership between business and the state and education that trains specialists necessary for economic development. We see these changes already happening – in government decisions, in business actions, in the willingness to take responsibility. The future should not be waited for – it must be created, and that is exactly what Ukrainians are doing today,” Yuriy Pyvovarov noted.

Traditionally, the Kyiv International Economic Forum unites the business community around important social initiatives.

This year, KIEF raised 3 million hryvnias, which will be donated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Soborna Ukraina charity fund, which helps the families of fallen soldiers.