On the instructions of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak held a meeting of the Presidium of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine. The meeting participants discussed the course of preparation for hosting the international summit of communities and regions.

According to Andriy Yermak, the upcoming summit will be an important international event with high levels of engagement of representatives of various states and foreign municipalities. The event will reaffirm that the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is a platform for the effective interaction of city and municipal leadership. The platform will allow local authorities to directly discuss issues of post-war reconstruction of the state and initiatives to normalise community life and, most importantly, receive comprehensive support from organisers and partners.

“Today, we already have many examples of cooperation, but everyone expects a more structured programme from us. I hope that the Congress will become such a platform,” the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine said.

According to Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Head of the President’s Office, 91 representatives from 18 countries have confirmed their personal participation in the summit as of today. Another 111 representatives from 36 countries are ready to participate via video links.

The delegations will also visit regions of Ukraine that suffered from hostilities or were under Russian occupation.

“As of today, the invited participants have expressed their desire to visit the Kyiv and Chernihiv oblasts where they will be able to see with their own eyes the consequences of the occupation and hostilities, the destruction caused by the Russian army,” Mr Kuleba said.

He announced that the summit would include a discussion of reintegrating Ukrainian territories, overcoming humanitarian challenges and restoring municipal life with the participation of international governmental and non-governmental organisations. The event participants will also focus on demining and innovative development of territories.