11. Juni 2024 United for Recovery: Reconstruction towards a free, prosperous and modern Ukraine
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Ladies and gentlemen,
837 days. That’s how long Ukraine has now been defending its freedom. And I would like to express my deepest respect to the people in Ukraine for their courage and determination to stand strong in these difficult times. And my gratitude. Because they are also defending the freedom of us all here in Europe.
And during my visits to Ukraine, I have met many people. Each of them carries their own story with them – and often a lot of hope and optimism. And I have met many who want to do their part in rebuilding a free Ukraine.
Such as Yana Stepanenko who lost both legs in a bomb attack on Kramatorsk. Two years on, she has now run the Boston marathon on her new artificial legs.
Or Tetyana who was forced to flee Eastern Ukraine to the west of the country alone with her three children. She learned a new trade to be able to feed herself and her family.
To all of them I wish to say: Germany stands firmly with Ukraine.
We stand by you and are committed to advancing reconstruction. It is important to already start thinking about the future. Ukraine’s desire for freedom and for resilience are its greatest assets in that process.
And let me outline three pillars that I think are needed for reconstruction.
First of all: Support is required so that people’s basic needs can be met despite the war. These include medical services and infrastructure, which needs to be repaired or renewed. Germany supports, for example, efforts to protect the energy infrastructure against attacks and rebuild it where necessary.
We are developing decentralised grids and renewable energies. Because that helps to increase energy security. And every power line we’re repairing is also a connection with Europe. As we repair transmission lines, we are making sure that they are compatible with the European grid. And Ukraine is part of the European family.
Secondly, social cohesion must be ensured. Local communities play a key role in strengthening social cohesion. They are the ones in charge of securing basic needs. They coordinate and organize the repair of houses, streets and schools.
For their support, we initiate, together with our partners, the Coalition for Sustainable Municipalities. The Coalition will make sure that communities have access to the funds they need and can rebuild their own administrative capacities.
That is why it is great to see that civil society and municipalities are extensively involved at the Ukraine Recovery Conference.
The private sector and trade unions, too, are also very well represented today.
The Recovery Forum, which will open this afternoon, will provide a platform to link up all of these actors. Together with Julija Svyrydenko and my colleague Robert Habeck I invite you all to join the opening.
And thirdly, investment in the Ukrainian economy is required. But what would the economy be without the people who keep it running?
That is why, this afternoon I will be launching the Skills Alliance together with Ukraine and many others.
The Alliance is about targeted training initiatives in professions that Ukrainians need most now. A free and independent Ukraine needs doctors and psychologists, nurses, engineers and electricians. And to this end, governments, international organizations and companies are working together in the alliance.
The alliance is about three things: more skilled workers, closer networks and a stronger focus on reconstruction.
And here it is especially important to put a focus on women. They are currently taking on many of the tasks that keep this country running. They fight tirelessly for reforms and for international support.
That is why I am committed to strengthening women’s participation in reconstruction.
And last but not least, small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of Ukraine's economy. And that is why this Ukraine Recovery Conference will also be launching the SME Resilience Alliance. It will make it easier for SME in Ukraine to access finance.
For instance, via the Business Development Fund, which provides long-term support through affordable loans and advisory services, similar to Germany’s development bank, the KfW.
Thanks to this fund, around 40,000 SMEs have been able to exist on the Ukrainian market since 2022. They secure jobs and keep the economy running. And the SME Resilience Alliance builds on these achievements. To foster investments in a stable and economically prosperous future for Ukraine.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are stronger together. Let us join forces to drive forward reconstruction.
Thank you.