Vitalii Bezghin, Minister for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons, met with representatives of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). They discussed strengthening the capacity of Ukraine’s regions and communities, further cooperation with the OECD, exchanging experience, implementing EU standards and Minregion’s main priorities.

We currently have two key areas of joint work:

Chapter 22 of the EU accession negotiations. OECD expertise was important during screening. The next stage is to support Ukraine in the transition to negotiations and ensure that the Master Plan remains up to date and is implemented.

The new State Regional Development Strategy for 2028–2034. Its development began on 7 July during the OECD delegation’s visit. It is important for us to ensure a broad and inclusive basis for developing the Strategy, its alignment with other national strategic documents and its consistency with European approaches. OECD methodological support, clear identification of priorities and a direct link between strategic goals and financing through the State Fund for Regional Development are also key.

We also discussed strengthening communities’ capacity to implement projects. A network of 1000 project managers should form the basis for turning financing into specific local projects and infrastructure. An important area of work is reform of the State Fund for Regional Development and public investment management. We are working to bring management mechanisms closer to EU standards and cohesion policy. This is especially important given the scale of Ukraine’s recovery needs — around USD 588 billion.

We also identified areas in which OECD expertise can be particularly useful: affordable housing, energy-efficiency renovation, the integration and return of internally displaced persons, local economic development and evacuation planning from frontline territories.

“Ukraine is already a full participant in the OECD Regional Development Policy Committee. For us, it is important to use this status both to obtain expertise and for mutual learning and exchange of experience. Most importantly, this cooperation must produce practical results: stronger communities, better projects and more opportunities to attract European funding,” Vitalii Bezghin stressed.