The German Economic Team at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) 2025
Our team members Robert Kirchner and Garry Poluschkin were in Rome from 8 to 11 July 2025, for the fourth annual URC.
Exchanging views with numerous stakeholders from governments, international organisations, financial institutions, businesses and civil society provided us with insights into the various perspectives on a question that preoccupied all conference participants: What does sustainable reconstruction look like, and how can it serve to restore physical infrastructure and enable Ukraine to thrive in a technology-based global economy in the long term?
At the high-level conference, which attracted more than 6,000 participants and a large number of political decision-makers, Robert Kirchner and Garry Poluschkin met many partners from Ukraine, Germany, and international organizations, exchanging ideas on reconstruction, the economic situation, and private investment attraction.
They also participated as speakers in several side events leading up to the main conference.
One thematic focus was the German-Ukrainian economic cooperation. At an event organized by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), Robert Kirchner presented the opportunities and challenges for German investment in relevant sectors.
In order to attract German investors, we recommend targeted direct approaches, cooperation with intermediaries, and knowledge exchange at trade fairs. The focus should be on medium-sized companies with experience in Ukraine.
Another focus was on the topic of green jobs: In a joint meeting of the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy and Deloitte Ukraine, Robert Kirchner and Garry Poluschkin presented our recent study on the development of green jobs in Ukraine.
The results of the study show that targeted measures such as dual study programs, reskilling and retraining initiatives, expert knowledge transfer and refugee-focused training and scholarship programmes are necessary to expand the supply of skilled workers in the field of green jobs.
This needs to be accompanied by general labor market reforms to improve inclusiveness and adaptability. The reforms should aim to attract more women, veterans, and labour immigrants to the Ukrainian labour market.
Many thanks to all our partners and all participants for the valuable exchange and shared commitment to Ukraine’s recovery and resilience!
You can access our study on green jobs in Ukraine here.
