The Power of Challenge: Factors Shaping the Future of Ukraine and the World

Ukraine's membership in the EU is already becoming a reality, and accession negotiations are gaining momentum. However, the main question is: what will be Ukraine's role in the EU economy? Will the country become only a raw material supplier, or will it be able to develop high value-added industries?

In this panel discussion, we will focus on how Ukraine can integrate into the EU economy while preserving its own identity and developing high value-added industries. We will discuss what role Ukraine can play in the EU economy, which industries have the greatest potential for development, and how to ensure that the Ukrainian economy becomes not only a part of the single market, but also an important driver of it.

Investing in Ukraine during the ongoing aggression is not only a risky business, but also strategically crucial for maintaining the country's economic resilience and recovery. Hostilities pose unique challenges for investors who need new approaches to risk management and security of their investments.

In this panel discussion, we will focus on the issues of attracting investments in the context of ongoing aggression and reviewing mechanisms for insuring war risks. The participants will discuss how to attract international and domestic investments to Ukraine despite the high risks, what strategies and tools can help protect investors, and what roles international financial institutions play in the support of investors.

The war has greatly changed the labor market in Ukraine: many people have gone abroad and many have been mobilized. The country is facing a shortage of human resources, which poses serious challenges for the economy. The government and businesses need to adapt their approaches to education and training now to ensure the stable functioning of the economy during the war and prepare the country for recovery after it is over.

At this panel discussion, we will focus on what is already being done to retrain workers, which industries are experiencing the greatest staff shortages, and what ways to address these problems can be effective. We will discuss how the government and business can cooperate to solve human resources problems using international experience and the latest approaches.

After Russia's massive shelling in the autumn and summer of this year, Ukraine's energy system has been severely damaged. The country went through massive power outages, but thanks to the efforts of the business community and the government, the energy infrastructure was partially restored and the system stabilized. However, with winter approaching again, Ukraine now faces a crucial question: is the energy sector ready for potential new challenges?

Our panel discussion will focus on analyzing the current state of Ukraine's energy system, and discussing future scenarios and strategies that could ensure the country's energy security amid the ongoing aggression. We will review what steps have already been taken to strengthen the system and what else needs to be done to avoid repeating energy crises in the future. Particular attention will be paid to the role of decentralized energy and nuclear generation in Ukraine's new energy strategy.

During a crisis, leaders play a pivotal role in maintaining resilience and balance in their communities. They not only have to address challenges, but also to create conditions for recovery and development. This is particularly important in wartime, when society needs strong and responsible leaders who can inspire and unite people around a common goal.

Our panel discussion will explore how leaders can strengthen their communities, maintaining their resilience and ensuring sustainable development during the most challenging times. Participants will discuss what qualities are crucial for leaders in times of crisis, how they can balance the need for quick decisions with a long-term vision, and how to create an atmosphere of trust and cooperation within communities.

Ukraine has lost a significant part of its economic potential due to the war, creating an urgent need to find new sectors for economic growth. This panel discussion will focus on how the country can rethink its economic strategy and identify competitive niches in global markets. We will discuss which industries have the potential to drive recovery, how business and government can foster innovation and investment, and what is needed to create conditions that attract talents and capital. The spotlight will be on the new challenges and opportunities that will shape Ukraine's economic future.

In times of war, information becomes as important a weapon as conventional weapons on the battlefield. Information warfare and propaganda play a key role in shaping public opinion, states' international image, and maintaining public morale. Ukraine, which is facing an unprecedented wave of disinformation and propaganda, has to find effective strategies to protect its information space.

In this panel discussion, we will focus on how to counter disinformation and propaganda in times of war. Participants will share their experience on the information front, talk about the challenges they face and the methods and technologies they use to protect the truth. Particular attention will be paid to information security, psychological resilience of society and the role of the media in countering manipulation.

The EU membership negotiation process begun by Ukraine this summer is a crucial step towards its full membership, opening up new opportunities but also posing significant challenges for the country. The implementation of the EU Acquis will be a crucial challenge, since the success of this process will not only determine the future of the Ukrainian economy, but also its place on the EU economic map.

This panel discussion will focus on how Ukraine can effectively negotiate, implement EU norms and attain favorable conditions that will enable Ukrainian industries to compete on equal terms with the European ones. The participants will discuss strategies for protecting Ukraine's economic interests to facilitate its successful integration into the EU single market.

The ongoing war has put Ukrainian business in the face of unprecedented challenges, causing entrepreneurs to look for new ways to ensure their survival and development in a constantly threatening environment. This panel discussion is dedicated to discussing the current problems faced by Ukrainian entrepreneurs in the context of the ongoing aggression and ways to tackle them.

The panelists will share their experience of doing business in such extraordinary conditions and share new strategies that enable them not only to save their companies but also to find growth opportunities. The discussion will focus on adapting business models, managing risks, supporting employees, and interacting with government agencies under the martial law.

The ongoing aggression has posed unprecedented challenges to the Ukrainian industry, forcing it to search for new ways to adapt. At the beginning of the year, the President initiated the Made in Ukraine policy with the aim of strengthening the national industrial base and increasing the competitiveness of domestic goods.

This panel discussion will focus on how industry and the Government respond to the challenges of war, and how they can build a sustainable economy. Participants will discuss the first outcomes of the Made in Ukraine policy, its impact on industry, and what needs to be improved to increase efficiency.

Also, strategies for preserving the industrial potential, attracting investments and cooperation with international partners to support Ukrainian industry will be considered.

Ukraine is already facing a major challenge - the reintegration of veterans into society and the economy. This challenge will become even more acute after the war, when millions of veterans who have gone through severe difficulties will need support to return to civilian life and find new opportunities for development and employment.

In this panel discussion, we will focus on the search for solutions for veterans' reintegration, considering both the Ukrainian context and the experience of other countries which have already faced similar challenges.

We will address key aspects such as psychological rehabilitation, financial support, retraining and employment. The panelists will share their views on how the government, business, and international partners can effectively cooperate in helping veterans find their place in post-war Ukraine.

The United States elections, which will take place only two days before the Forum, will have a major impact on the future of Ukraine and global politics.

How will the results of the United States presidential election affect further support for Ukraine in the war and in its reconstruction? Will the international community remain cohesive in its support for Ukraine, or should we expect significant geopolitical changes?

These questions will be answered during this panel, which is anticipated to be one of the most important and relevant at this year's Kyiv International Economic Forum.

The panel discussion is organized in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine.

The year began with tensions between business and the state authorities, when entrepreneurs began to speak openly about unjustified harassment by government agencies. The President's decisive actions contributed to resolving the conflict, but it became clear that the existing model of interaction needs to transform. Business is calling for a new social contract: honest work and tax payments by entrepreneurs in exchange for a guarantee of no unreasonable state intervention.

This panel discussion will focus on ways to build new, and much more transparent and meaningful, relations between business and government. How can a balance be reached to ensure mutual trust and promote economic development? What steps are needed to reset these relations and create conditions for sustainable business growth in Ukraine?

For a long time, Ukraine has been known for its significant human resources in IT, but the ongoing aggression has changed priorities, putting the development of defense technologies at the forefront. What used to be out of the spotlight has now become a leading area for the Ukrainian IT sector. The question is how Ukraine can use this potential to become a world leader in Defense Tech and what successes have already been achieved in this regard.

This panel discussion will highlight how Ukrainian companies, government agencies, and international partners could combine their efforts to create innovative defense solutions. We will discuss what has already been done to reinforce Ukraine's position on the global stage and what remains to be done to ensure that Ukraine can claim the role of a global leader in Defence Tech.

This panel discussion brings together famous entrepreneurs, government officials and athletes who left their careers, businesses and successful projects to defend Ukraine. Now, they are on the front lines and continue to fight for our freedom. The discussion will be a unique opportunity to hear their views on the challenges of war, leadership in combat and possible ways to recover after victory. Speakers will share their personal stories and how their experience in business and on the front can change the future of Ukraine.

The final panel discussion will summarize this year's forum, highlighting the key challenges and opportunities that Ukraine will face in the near future. It will serve as a platform to discuss the country's recovery and the strategic decisions that need to be made to ensure economic growth.

The panelists will present their vision of the future of Ukraine, which will include the role of business in economic recovery, the country's integration into global markets, and preparation for new challenges. The panel will serve as a platform to discuss long-term forecasts and strategies that will facilitate Ukraine's transformation into a competitive and prosperous country in the global context.