UKRAINE 2.0: THE POWER OF PEOPLE

The Ukrainian economy operates under constant threats, but the main question is not only how to survive, but also how to seize new opportunities in a rapidly changing world. Geopolitical conflicts, the growing role of technology, and the importance of security are creating new rules of the game.

For Ukraine, this is both a challenge and an opportunity: to integrate into the global economy as a strong industrial and technological player, to attract investment into new sectors, to build models that can function even in times of crisis, and to find its place in global transformation.

The discussion will focus on how adaptation can become a strategy for growth — from security as the basic condition for doing business to using global trends as drivers of Ukraine’s new economy.

During the war business keeps the economy running by investing, creating jobs, and paying taxes. The state declares a new approach with less pressure, more partnership. But does business actually feel this in practice?

The issue of investment protection remains crucial. Investors need not only words, but real guarantees, clear rules, and predictability. Without trust, there will be no investments — and without investments, there will be no sustainable recovery.

This discussion will explore how to move from control to partnership, how to make investor protection part of a new system, and how to build trust as the foundation of Ukraine’s economic resilience.

The world is competing for capital. Large funds go only to projects that are large-scale, well-prepared, and protected. In Ukraine, even the high activity of international financial institutions (IFIs) does not turn into a strong flow of private investments. The reasons include war-related risks, a lack of “bankable” projects, limited long-term domestic resources, and currency challenges.

This panel discussion will focus on the practical conditions for access to financing: what IFIs expect from businesses, how to structure agreements considering risks, and which sectors are with the most active capital movement. Company cases that have already attracted international capital will also be presented.

Ukrainian industry has suffered heavy losses during the years of war. However, the state has made this sector a priority, offering support tools such as cashback programs, risk insurance, and tax incentives. This has led to positive recovery dynamics: new industrial parks are emerging as hubs of production, new factories are being built. Still, these efforts are not enough to compensate for what has been lost.

Industrial companies continue to face shortages of capital, lack of skilled workers, expensive energy resources, and barriers to access foreign markets. At the same time, they show that even under such conditions, it is possible to launch new projects and find growth opportunities.

During this panel, industry leaders will share their experience, insights, and vision of what needs to be done to make industry a true driver of Ukraine’s economic recovery.

Ukraine’s labor market is facing several complex challenges including migration, mobilization, the integration of veterans, internally displaced persons and the outflow of young people. These are creating a severe shortage of workers. The mismatch between business demands and worker skills is increasing.

In the meantime, automation, the rapid rise of AI, and worldwide war for talent are changing the rules of the game. For Ukraine, this is a call to act now — to invest in reskilling, modernizing education, and supporting companies that build skills and provide rehabilitation for employees.

The discussion will focus on a key question: how can Ukraine secure a skilled workforce for its economy while addressing social challenges from unemployment to the integration of veterans and internally displaced persons?

Ukraine’s energy system has shown significant resilience even under massive attacks: emergency blackouts are avoided, preparations for the heating season are well underway, losses in domestic gas production are offset by imports from the EU. But the real challenge lies ahead — transforming the system into one that can operate continuously under constant air threats.

The foundation of this system should be nuclear and distributed generation, along with energy storage solutions. These areas are fully aligned with global trends, given the growing worldwide demand for electricity.

The discussion will focus on how Ukraine can overcome wartime challenges in energy and seize new opportunities in the European energy market.

Even during the full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s financial system has kept working. 

Banks, insurance companies, investment firms, and stock markets continued to provide essential services to the economy.

But can the financial sector give businesses enough money to grow? Loans are still expensive and hard to get, the stock market is almost inactive, and the pension system is not helping provide long-term investment. Small businesses rely on government programs, while medium-sized businesses have little access to affordable financing.

This discussion will focus on how to make the financial system work for the economy. Which tools and institutions can help businesses get long-term, cheaper capital and make the financial sector a driver of growth?

The world has entered a new phase of competition for resources and influence. On one side stand the USA and the EU, on the other — China and Russia, while the Global South seeks to define its own role.

For Ukraine, the key task is to remain at the center of this global agenda and to leverage the new reality for integration into the European economy, strengthening security, and building strategic partnerships.

The discussion will outline how these processes are already affecting Ukraine, the risks they pose, and the opportunities they open for the country’s future.

The defence industry is rapidly becoming one of the most dynamic sectors of the global economy, with technology at its core. Demand is rising amid the war in Ukraine and global instability — military spending worldwide has already reached its highest levels since the Cold War.

The war in Ukraine has proven that traditional approaches to defence are no longer effective. Drones, autonomous systems, digital command, and adaptive manufacturing are shaping a new security architecture.

Ukraine has gained unique expertise in defence tech. The discussion will focus on which technologies will drive the industry’s future, how the state should design regulation, and how international partnerships can open global markets for Ukrainian innovations.

The war has highlighted the social role of business like never before. Beyond the core functions, including operating, paying taxes, creating jobs, support for the army and aid for those affected by the war have become the new norm.

In the third year of the full-scale invasion, it is clear that this is no longer enough. Business, as the most active part of society with the most to lose, must assume a greater responsibility for building the new Ukraine. This is not only about donations or volunteering, it requires active engagement in state-building: shaping development strategies through think tanks and research centers, preparing future leaders, and partnering with the government.

This panel will explore how business can become not only a driver of the economy, but also a co-creator of public policy that will define the country’s future.

A majority of international companies within Ukraine are continuing to operate despite the ongoing war and some are even entering the market for the first time. This means that the country remains attractive, even under critical conditions.

What drives these companies? What keeps them here, and what prevents them from doing business in Ukraine? How do they adapt to security challenges, logistical constraints, labor shortages, and the high cost of capital?

We will discuss the current condition of international business in Ukraine and explore whether companies see potential for scaling not only within the domestic market, but also by joining international production and logistics chains.