On 4-5 July 2022, Switzerland jointly with Ukraine hosted the international Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2022) in Lugano.
Initially, the conference in Lugano had been planned as the 5th Ukraine Reform Conference – an annual high-level political event. It would have been in continuation of four previous editions of the conference held in the UK, Canada, Denmark and Lithuania that allowed Ukraine to highlight its reforms progress and discuss the next reform priorities. Against the backdrop of the full-scale Russian war against Ukraine since 24 February, 2022, Ukraine and Switzerland have jointly decided to proceed with the organization of the conference, but to refocus the priorities on a topic that is more relevant to Ukraine in the current situation.
The Lugano conference was renamed the Ukraine Recovery Conference and focused beyond reforms to recovery. Lugano was a unique opportunity for Ukraine to present its draft recovery plan and to work with international partners to develop the best possible response to the enormous challenges ahead.
Ukraine and Switzerland initiated in Lugano a broad-based political process for the recovery of Ukraine. URC2022 was the international kick-off for the recovery process in Ukraine.
Recovery is a massive task and poses challenges of a magnitude that cannot be precisely measured at this point. However, the scale of response and resources needed can already be anticipated. To help the country recover and seize the opportunity to transform it, we need to pursue close coordination and be prepared to fully devote ourselves to implementation when the time will come.
The two-day conference in Switzerland was attended by over 1000 people, including 5 heads of state and government, 23 ministers and 16 deputy ministers. Switzerland was represented by President Cassis, Federal Councillor Sommaruga as well as National Council President Kälin and other parliamentarians. The 90-strong Ukrainian delegation was led by Prime Minister Shmyhal and Speaker of the Parliament Stefanchuk, as well as another 7 ministers. A total of 58 international delegations (representatives of governments and international organizations) participated and supported Ukraine in launching the political process of recovery.
Read more about the Conference here.
