Our Executive Director Ambassador Melanne Verveer and Policy Associate Ana Lejava just returned from the first-ever truly gender and civil society-inclusive Ukraine Recovery Conference hosted by the German and Ukrainian governments to encourage private investment in Ukraine and to “build forward” with innovation. Here are highlights from our time as an official participant at the 2024 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin.
1. Co-hosting an event with the German and Ukrainian governments on gender mainstreaming in Ukraine’s recovery. Thank you to the wonderful panelists for your ongoing dedication and work on this issue: Ukrainian human rights lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk; Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine Iryna Postolovska; UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women Deputy Executive Director for Resource Management, Sustainability, and Partnerships Kirsi Madi; Assistant Deputy Minister of Strategic Policy for Global Affairs Canada Alexandre Lévêque; Co-Founder and Director on Strategic Development of the Ukrainian Women’s Fund Natalia Karbowska; Government Commissioner for Gender Policy of Ukraine Kateryna Levchenko; Founding Partner of Horizon Capital Lenna Koszarny; Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Yoichi Fukazawa; Founder the organization Voice of Romni Anzhelika Bielova; and Ukrainian LGBTQ activist Anna Sharyhina.
2. Being part of the launch of the first-ever Ukraine Recovery Conference gender deliverable. The Alliance for a Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery for Ukraine brings together governments, private sector and civil society partners, and United Nations agencies to improve funding and financing for gender equality in Ukraine’s recovery. Thank you to UN Women, the German and Ukrainian governments, and everyone who joined this important step towards building back better for all of society.
3. Partnering with Google and Philip Justus on an important side event during the recovery conference, highlighting women’s leadership in Ukraine’s economic recovery. It’s crucial for the private sector to promote gender-sensitive and social impact investing. We look forward to future partnerships and supporting Ukraine’s cause together with Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Tetyana Berezhna; Vice President, Central Europe, Google Philipp Justus; Startups & VCs Lead of Google Nina Levchuk; Director for Gender and Economic Inclusion for EBRD Barbara Rambousek; Senior Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Darya Zarivna; UN Women Representative in Ukraine Sabine Fraser; and GIWPS Executive Director Melanne Verveer.
4. Seeing First Lady Olena Zelenska again and hearing her express gratitude for our continued vital engagement in Ukraine.
5. Witnessing incredible women leaders like Olena Khomenko, Maria Mezentseva, and Olena Khomenko driving change at the regional level and being part of the recovery planning at the Ukraine Recovery Conference. The future of Ukraine lies in strong, innovative local governance.
Let’s maintain the momentum and ensure next year’s conference in Italy continues to center women at the core of Ukraine’s economic and social recovery.
