II International Cohesion Forum

On April 29, Kyiv hosted the Second International Cohesion Forum, a platform for developing a practical architecture of cooperation between the state, regions and international partners in the areas of recovery, development and resilience.

The Forum brought together representatives of the Government, Parliament, local governments, and key international partners. The discussions focused on attracting international resources, developing partnerships, the role of communities in recovery, and tools to synchronize state and local policies.

Odesa Oblast was represented at the forum by Oleg Kiper, Head of the Odesa Regional State Administration. Based on the results of the region’s systematic work in international cooperation, partnership development, and implementation of joint projects, Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko awarded it the Symbol of International Cooperation 2025 award.

This decision recognizes the role of Odesa region as a region that builds sustainable ties with international partners, works effectively with donor resources, and systematically integrates into the European cooperation space. In fact, it is about consolidating the region’s status as a hub of international cooperation, where partnerships are transformed into specific recovery and development projects.

The forum was also attended by the team of the Regional Development Agency of Odesa Region – Director Sergiy Kononenko and Head of the Office for Work with Territorial Communities Olena Ivanova.

For the Agency, such participation has a clear applied meaning and is directly related to work in communities. It is about strengthening international cooperation, preparing high-quality project solutions, and integrating Odesa Oblast communities into European programs and partnership networks.

The forum paid special attention to the transition from point initiatives to systemic solutions, when public policy, regional strategies, and local needs work as a single coordinated model. This is the approach that Odesa region is demonstrating today through the development of international partnerships, resource mobilization, and the implementation of projects that have a direct impact on communities and their residents.