On March 5, 2025, the "On the Road to URC2025" event began in Milan, a key milestone for the fourth International Ukraine Recovery Conference URC2025 in Rome. The event was opened by Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko, Italy’s Special Envoy for the Reconstruction of Ukraine Davide La Cecilia, and President of the Lombardy Region Attilio Fontana.

The opening panel featured Gert-Jan Koopman, Director-General of DG ENEST; Barbara Cimmino, Vice President of Confindustria for Export and Investment Attraction & Vice President of the Business Advisory Council; and Lorenzo Galanti, Director-General of ICE Agenzia.  

"This event marks a new stage in cooperation between Ukraine and Italy. Italy has been and remains a reliable partner in providing support in the defense, energy, and other sectors. Today, we face another challenge — the reconstruction of Ukraine, with World Bank estimates indicating a need of $542 billion over the next decade. This recovery requires active private sector engagement. That is why our meeting focuses on business connections: about 150 Ukrainian businesses from key industries are here today to explore new collaboration opportunities with Italian partners. I am grateful to Italy for all the support provided," said Yuliia Svyrydenko.  

The key goal of the business dimension preparatory event "On the Road to URC-2025" is to mobilize the international private sector for reconstruction and recovery projects. It brings together representatives of the Ukrainian and Italian governments, international financial institutions, and over 550 companies from 23 countries, including Iveco Group N.V., ELTEC, Green Energy GmbH, Bayer, FIEC, Bloom Energy, Consorzio Oil & Gas Alliance, FAE Group, and PPG, to discuss policies and investment mechanisms that can be presented at the Rome Conference. The event features panel discussions and working sessions dedicated to strategic development directions.  

Key topics of the event:  

• Stimulating Investments and Access to Finance: Discussions on existing financing tools, risk insurance, and government incentives for foreign investors. Representatives of IFIs (EBRD, IFC, EIB, etc.) present current financing programs and business support initiatives in Ukraine.  
• Energy Resilience and Green Transition: Analysis of long-term recovery needs and mobilization of the private sector to create a sustainable, "green" energy system in post-war reconstruction. The focus is on investments in renewable energy and decentralized energy solutions.  
• Industrial Production and Processing: Encouraging production across various sectors, boosting value-added exports, technology transfers, and creating new businesses. Participants will explore ways to increase the production capacity of Ukrainian SMEs.  
• Infrastructure and Housing Modernization: Development of road and rail infrastructure and housing solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs).  
• Strategic Role of SMEs: Strategies to involve SMEs in large-scale reconstruction projects funded by the Ukrainian government and IFIs. Special attention is given to the role of multilateral development banks and the private banking sector in engaging SMEs in recovery projects.  

A special focus will be placed on cooperation between the Lombardy Region and Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the presentation of a concept masterplan for the reconstruction of Mykolaiv, and the "Future School for Ukraine" initiative, which aims to introduce an innovative, sustainable and inclusive solution for building new schools across Ukraine based on the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB).  

As part of the main program, a series of seminars and workshops will provide Italian and European companies with up-to-date information on business opportunities in Ukraine, investment prospects, and direct networking opportunities with Ukrainian manufacturers.  

The event is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy in cooperation with ICE Agenzia, the Lombardy Region, and the Government of Ukraine.