URC 2026 Kicks Off in Gdańsk: The Conference’s 5 Main Themes (Live Stream)

25 June 11:24

A two-day international conference on Ukraine’s recovery—the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026—began on Thursday, June 25, in Gdańsk, Poland, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"

This year’s event is set to become one of the main international platforms for attracting funding, investments, and partners for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Participants will focus particularly on the energy sector, critical infrastructure, logistics, the defense industry, and support for Ukrainian businesses.

The Ukrainian government delegation was led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. It also included representatives from the government, parliament, state-owned companies, the business sector, and local communities.

What We Know About URC 2026

The conference is taking place in Gdańsk on June 25–26 and is jointly organized by Ukraine and Poland.

Its main goal is to strengthen international support for Ukraine’s recovery and to translate partners’ political statements into concrete projects, investments, agreements, and financial instruments.

Representatives of governments, international organizations, financial institutions, the business community, regions, local communities, and civil society have been invited to participate.

The organizers plan to focus not only on post-war reconstruction but also on the country’s urgent needs during the war.

Two days before the conference, it became known that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had declined to attend—all because Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped his Ukrainian counterpart of the Order of the White Eagle. This was all because Zelenskyy named one of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ units “after the Heroes of the UPA,” which infuriated the Polish president.

The Polish government did not invite Nawrocki to the conference, and Prime Minister Donald Tusk will play the leading role on the Polish side.

Which sectors have become priorities

This year’s conference is focused on the areas that have suffered the most from Russian aggression.

Among the top priorities are:

energy;
critical infrastructure;
transportation and logistics;
housing;
industry;
defense technologies;
community recovery;
social sector.

Separately, participants will discuss protecting infrastructure from Russian attacks and the development of decentralized energy.

The Five Main Themes of the Conference

The URC 2026 program is divided into five thematic blocks.

Business and Investment

Participants will discuss attracting private capital to Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Key topics include:

war risk insurance;
guarantees for investors;
public-private partnerships;
support for businesses in frontline regions;
development of the processing and manufacturing industries;
creation of projects ready for financing.

The organizers emphasize that manufacturing and processing should form the foundation of Ukraine’s new economic model.

Human Capital

This area covers the restoration of the social sector and human potential.

This includes:

support for children and youth;
assistance to internally displaced persons;
reforming education and healthcare;
prosthetics and rehabilitation;
mental health programs;
reintegration of veterans into civilian life;
engaging Ukrainians abroad in the reconstruction effort.

Special attention will be given to demographic challenges and the return of citizens to Ukraine.

Local and Regional Development

This section focuses on the recovery of communities, cities, and villages.

The conference will discuss:

the modernization of the housing stock;
the restoration of roads and public infrastructure;
local economic development;
decentralized energy systems;
cooperation between Ukrainian communities and foreign partners;
support for regions most affected by the war.

Poland and Ukraine also plan to develop a platform for direct interaction between communities.

European Integration

A separate section is dedicated to Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.

Key topics include:

implementation of reforms;
the rule of law;
judicial reform;
human rights;
changes in the civil service;
economic integration with the EU;
implementation of the Ukraine Facility;
use of funds from the Ukraine Facility.

European integration is viewed as an integral part of the country’s recovery and modernization.

Security and Defense

For the first time, security and defense have become a separate major focus of the conference.

Participants will discuss:

strengthening air defense;
unmanned technologies;
military mobility;
cooperation in intelligence;
protection of energy and industrial facilities;
humanitarian demining;
development of shelters;
dual-use technologies;
artificial intelligence in the security sector.

Discussions are also expected on deepening cooperation between Ukrainian and Polish defense companies.

Svyrydenko Led the Ukrainian Delegation

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko led the Ukrainian delegation at URC 2026.

The Ukrainian side plans to focus on practical solutions, economic projects, financing reconstruction, and strengthening the country’s resilience.

The delegation included:

government officials;
members of parliament;
heads of state-owned enterprises;
business representatives;
community representatives from various regions of Ukraine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the delegation’s governmental composition is consistent with the economic and practical nature of the conference.

What Will Happen on June 25

The first day of the conference began with a ministerial-level meeting of the Ukrainian Donor Platform.

This will be followed by the official opening ceremony, attended by heads of state and government.

The program also includes:

a high-level dialogue on Ukraine’s accession to the EU;
an economic dialogue;
a discussion on energy resilience;
thematic panels;
the opening of national pavilions;
a business fair;
presentations of investment projects.

The event will also feature the signing of agreements and memoranda.

Ukrainian Donor Platform

One of the key events will be a meeting of the Ukrainian Donor Platform.

Participants will include representatives from:

the Ukrainian government;
the G7 countries;
the European Union;
international financial institutions;
partner countries.

The main topics will include meeting Ukraine’s budgetary needs, implementing reforms, strengthening resilience, energy security, and attracting private investment.

The platform is intended to coordinate assistance from partners and prevent duplication of projects.

Business Fair and Recovery Forum

A business fair featuring national booths from Ukraine and Poland will be held during URC 2026.

Companies will be able to present their projects, find partners, and negotiate cooperation agreements.

There will also be a Recovery Forum, where participants will discuss:

practical models for engaging the private sector;
investment projects;
business operations during wartime;
risk insurance;
regional development;
new financial instruments.

A separate Forum of Think Tanks will also be held.

Energy and Infrastructure Platforms

The conference will feature two special platforms—the Energy Platform and the Infrastructure Platform.

The Energy Platform will focus on:

energy system security;
decentralized generation;
Ukraine’s integration into the European energy market;
the restoration of damaged facilities;
attracting investment in new energy projects.

The infrastructure platform will cover the restoration of roads, railways, ports, and border crossings, as well as the digitization of facility management.

A NATO Eastern Flank Summit is taking place in Gdańsk

In parallel with the conference in Gdańsk, a summit of NATO’s Eastern Flank countries is being held.

It is attended by heads of state and government from countries in the region that are directly facing threats from Russia.

The goal of the meeting is to coordinate security policy, strengthen the defense of the eastern flank, and discuss a joint response to Russia’s aggressive actions.