«UKRAINIAN DAVOS» AND FUTURE SPACE: KIEF to discuss Ukraine’s economic prospects

Photo courtesy of the Kyiv International Economic Forum (KIEF)

On November 7, the Ukrainian capital will host the 10th Kyiv International Economic Forum. This year’s forum holds a special, symbolic significance. Firstly, it is a milestone anniversary for KIEF, offering an opportunity to reflect on past achievements. Secondly, it marks the third forum held amidst Ukraine’s unwavering resistance to Russian aggression, a testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian business community in the face of ongoing challenges.

MAIN BUSINESS EVENT

he first Kyiv International Economic Forum, held on October 2, 2014, brought together over 800 businesspeople, politicians, and public figures from around the world. The forum was initiated by Vasyl Khmelnytsky, a prominent Ukrainian entrepreneur and founder of the company UFuture.

KIEF was initially positioned as a kind of «Ukrainian Davos». Over the past 10 years, it has indeed become, without exaggeration, one of Ukraine’s primary — if not the foremost — business events. Its speakers are listened to attentively, and its ideas are actively discussed. Before the war, the forum attracted around 1,500 participants from over 30 countries.

More than 200 Ukrainian and international media outlets have published insights on management and economic issues shared by KIEF speakers, along with reports on the forum’s activities. This is entirely understandable, as the event brings together globally recognized visionaries, economists, business leaders, investors, and scientists on one hand and representatives of the Ukrainian business community and government on the other.

For a decade, KIEF has succeeded in creating a unique atmosphere — one of intellectual synergy, engagement in global processes, and active involvement in the world discourse.

AGENCY, WILL AND VISION

The forum serves as a window to the world of groundbreaking management ideas, business trends, and technological innovations. KIEF creates a space for a global future in which Ukraine plays a proactive and constructive role. This vision stands in sharp contrast to scenarios that pessimistically assess the prospects of Ukrainian society and the state.

The agency of the state and nation begins with the individual creative will of each of its citizens. In this sense, KIEF, which brings together the most economically and intellectually active members of society, plays an invaluable role in advancing the successful «Ukrainian project». It starkly contrasts with the «project-oriented» approach typical of Russia, which initiated the war.

Ukraine’s approach is non-repressive, emerging from the best practices of «soft», constructive power, inclusivity, and freedom. The 2024 forum will be the third held under martial law, following two previous forums where speakers clearly outlined the foundational values of Ukrainian business culture.

The national business community sees itself as a co-author of Ukraine’s victory. It has both the will and the vision to support this role, aspiring to be an equal partner with the state in developing technological infrastructure, implementing investment policies, and managing human capital strategies.

DISCUSSION AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF ELECTIONS

Naturally, the milestone KIEF cannot overlook the war and Ukraine’s future in light of it. Despite the state of emergency and the threat of missile strikes, the event will feature presentations from at least 100 speakers participating in 16-panel discussions. Ukrainian business leaders and speakers representing Western companies, governments, and organizations are expected to be joined by representatives from the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Verkhovna Rada.

A significant detail is that this discussion will take place against the backdrop of the U.S. presidential election, scheduled for November 5. Consequently, the election results will be one of the central topics among speakers and forum participants.

“It is crucial that business, the state, and society work together to create effective mechanisms of cooperation. Especially now, as global instability compounds the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We are on the brink of major changes, and the question before us is how we will leverage them. Will these challenges become insurmountable obstacles, or, on the contrary, serve as a stimulus for finding new solutions and moving forward?” remarks Yuriy Pivovarov, CEO of the Kyiv International Economic Forum.

Prepared in partnership with KIEF. Huxley is the information partner of the Kyiv International Economic Forum