URC2025: Czech-Ukrainian Chamber Proudly Participates in Ukraine’s Reconstruction Efforts

The Czech-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry & Commerce is honored to have been part of the 4th Ukrainian Recovery Conference (URC2025), held this year in Rome, Italy – an event that brought together over 5,000 participants from more than 100 countries to reaffirm and accelerate international support for Ukraine’s recovery.

Key Outcomes:

• €10+ billion pledged for Ukraine’s reconstruction
• European Commission committed €2.3B (grants and guarantees) to unlock €10B in private capital
• Launch of a new flagship fund: €220M in 2025, scaling to €500M by 2026

Highlights from Global Leaders:

• President Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s ongoing aggression as “pure terrorism” and called for a Marshall Plan-style coalition
• Friedrich Merz demanded €500B in reparations from Russia
• Italian PM Giorgia Meloni stressed the need to exclude Russian-linked companies from reconstruction contracts
• President Petr Pavel of Czechia presented a bold 11-point plan for Ukraine’s recovery, including:
  1. Unified governance and political coalition
  2. Use of frozen Russian assets for rebuilding
  3. Private sector-driven development
  4. Focus on high-impact sectors and heavily affected regions
  5. Return of refugees and labour market reform

Czech Business Engagement:

A proud moment for our Chamber was the meeting with President Petr Pavel and Tomáš Kopečný, Czech Governmental Envoy to Ukraine, alongside leading Czech investors and solution providers such as MND, ENKOM, GENTECH, TEDOM, Time & Space, LINET, EGAP, and NRB. Together, we discussed how Czechia can lead in Ukraine’s reconstruction, particularly in the sectors of manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure under the Ukraine Facility Plan.

Workforce & Legal Environment Challenges:

During these discussions, we emphasized the urgent need to attract Ukrainian refugees back home, as investment means little without a skilled workforce. Additionally, we highlighted concerns regarding unfair labour practices, such as non-payment of taxes by local entities and outdated Soviet-era labour policies, which deter foreign investment. A more transparent and Western-aligned labour code is essential to ensure a competitive and equitable business environment.

Final Reflections:

Despite early logistical hurdles – including long waits in 35°C heat – the spirit of cooperation and the sheer scale of global commitment were palpable. URC2025 laid a solid foundation for the next phase of Ukraine’s recovery, driven by public-private partnerships, strategic governance, and the enduring resilience of the Ukrainian people.

The Czech-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry & Commerce remains committed to connecting Czech business expertise with Ukraine’s immense rebuilding potential. We thank our members, partners, and stakeholders for their ongoing engagement in this historic endeavor.