Investment forum of the city of Kyiv - 2023: "Brussels platform: sustainable revival of Greater Kyiv" was dedicated to the reconstruction and post-war development of the capital of Ukraine. This year's forum was a logical continuation of the cooperation and dialogue between the cities united in the so-called Brussels platform, which was launched at the Investment Forum in 2022. This was reported by the organizer of the event, the Department of Economy and Investments of the KMDA.

Due to the war in Ukraine, at the invitation and with the active support of the mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close, the Kyiv Investment Forum is being held in the Belgian capital for the second year in a row. More than 500 participants from all over the world took part in the event, including heads and representatives of European municipalities, ambassadors and members of diplomatic missions, heads of international companies and financial organizations, and well-known European politicians. In addition, more than 2,000 participants joined the forum via webcast.

The Kyiv Investment Forum was opened by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who congratulated the participants of the forum with a video message.

"Kyiv is at the forefront of the struggle to build a better future for Ukraine. I saw with my own eyes how this city reinvents itself as a dynamic, green and inclusive capital. Kyiv can be an example for other Ukrainian cities, as well as for EU cities. We have a lot to learn from each other and to stand in solidarity. In particular, because of the "platform of mayors", which was given life by this forum last year," said the President of the European Commission.

During the forum, an agreement on bilateral cooperation between Brussels and Kyiv was signed, as well as a memorandum on cooperation between the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the BESI-Brussels Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close, emphasizing the importance of the signed documents, emphasized:

"Brussels is an unwavering ally of the honorable Vitaliy Klitschko and the steadfast people of Ukraine. As much as it takes, as we promised. Europe's cities are coming together and strengthening ties, making our shared European future more sustainable. The investment forum is not only about the future of Kyiv. These are joint reflections on the future of Ukraine and the common fate of European nations."

Within the framework of the Forum, three more European cities - Barcelona, Tirana and Metropolis of Greater Paris - joined the Brussels Platform - a joint declaration of mayors on cooperation between cities to promote the recovery and development of Kyiv.

Mayor of Kyiv Vitaliy Klitschko expressed deep gratitude for the support and emphasized the importance of strategic partnership with Brussels.

"For the reconstruction and restoration of the Ukrainian capital and the implementation of important projects for Kyiv, international support is very important. Last year, at the Forum in Brussels, mayors and representatives of 15 European cities agreed to join forces to help rebuild Greater Kyiv. And they created the Brussels platform, which launched active processes in important projects for Kyiv: creating a modern rehabilitation center for the military, equipping a laboratory for the production of innovative biomedical products, renewing the rolling stock of city transport, and social support projects. We cooperate with European municipalities, which communicate with local businesses, look for opportunities to implement priority projects for us," noted Vitaliy Klychko.

Another important document for the capital was signed during the Kyiv Investment Forum. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the city of Kyiv, based on a long-standing and successful partnership, signed a new cooperation agreement. As part of this agreement, the Ukrainian capital will receive strategic consulting services to transform the urban electric transport system. The agreement also foresees the preparation of large-scale investments for the modernization of the rolling stock of the metro, which will make it possible to get rid of dependence on Russian spare parts and equipment. This new partnership, which includes both advisory services and preparatory work, will be supported by a €480,000 technical assistance grant from the Eastern Partnership Technical Assistance Trust Fund (EPTATF), managed by the EIB.

The main panel discussions of the Investment Forum of the City of Kyiv - 2023 focused on the investment potential of the Ukrainian capital, its role in the strength of regional and European economies, the importance of attracting international aid and finding ways to combine all opportunities for the sustainable economic development of the Kyiv agglomeration. It was, in particular, about investments in infrastructure, technology development and human capital. Attention was also paid to new approaches to the education system, social mobility and inclusiveness in all areas of the city's life.

In addition, the Forum introduced the concept of cooperation between different sectors – public, private and civil society – to create a strong economic ecosystem. The goal of this approach is to create an environment in which businesses of all sizes can thrive, contributing to the city's economy.

Separately, they focused on decentralization, p