From July 2 to 4, 2019, Canada hosted and co-chaired the third Ukraine Reform Conference in Toronto, Ontario.
There was a ministerial meeting on July 2, followed by two days of discussions at Ukraine House. More than 800 of Ukraine’s friends and partners, including foreign ministers, heads of international institutions, parliamentarians, the private sector, civil society and think tanks, gathered to support Ukraine’s reform process and its path to Euro-Atlantic integration.
Canada was committed to working with the international community and Ukraine toward:
- reinforcing the foundations of democratic reform and ensuring the irreversibility of key reform achievements
- affirming Ukraine’s sovereignty and security in the face of Russian aggression
- demonstrating solidarity and support for Ukraine as it works toward joining the Euro-Atlantic community of values and principles
- making reforms inclusive and resilient
- partnering with civil society and the private sector to promote accountability and transparency.
Background
Since 2014, Ukraine has been undertaking reforms to reinforce security, democratic accountability and prosperity for all of the people of Ukraine. The Ukraine Reform Conferences, initiated by Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and supported by international partners like Canada, capture Ukraine’s reform process.
Taking place between presidential and parliamentary elections, this conference comes at an opportune time to reinforce the foundations of democratic reform and maintain the momentum created at the previous conferences in London and Copenhagen. The conference will highlight the importance of making the existing reforms irreversible and will demonstrate our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, security and prosperity.
Ukraine House
From July 2 to 4, 2019, Ukraine House in Toronto served as a hub for private sector, civil society, government and international partners to connect, network and debate. This space showcased the progress and impact of Ukrainian reforms and highlighted investment and innovation opportunities in this dynamic country in the heart of Europe.
Quotes
“I am delighted that Canada is hosting the Ukraine Reform Conference in Toronto this year. This is an invaluable opportunity for Canada and the international community to demonstrate our committed support for reform in Ukraine. Together, we will continue to work toward strengthening the rules-based international order and building the future that the people of Ukraine deserve.”
- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs
“I am very much looking forward to the Ukraine Reform Conference taking place in Toronto later this year. The occasion presents a great opportunity for Ukraine to come together with our international partners to take stock of the progress we have made to date and to work in partnership on the roadmap that is paving the way to a brighter future for Ukraine and its place in the world.”
- Pavlo Klimkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
Participating countries
Delegations from the following countries were present:
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.
Delegations from the following organizations were present:
Council of Europe, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank, European Union, International Monetary Fund, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Ukrainian World Congress, United Nations Development Programme, World Bank.
Related links:
Outcomes of Third International Ukraine Reform Conference in Toronto
Public Administration Reform: Dicomunisation of Public Sector
