A panel discussion of the Central European Initiative was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York as part of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 2026). During the event, participants discussed the development of sustainable infrastructure, regional cooperation, and the role of international partnership in Ukraine’s recovery.
This was reported by the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations (WFOU).
The panel discussion “Sustainable Infrastructure in the Central European Initiative Region: Regional Cooperation as a Driver for the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals” was held on July 13 as part of the ministerial segment of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2026 (HLPF).
The event was organized by the Executive Secretariat of the Central European Initiative and the Romanian Chairmanship of the CEI through the Permanent Mission of Romania to the UN. The Permanent Missions of Italy, Serbia and Ukraine to the United Nations also joined the co-organization. Ukraine was represented on the panel by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN, Volodymyr Pavlychenko.
The participants of the discussion discussed the issues of sustainable infrastructure development, regional cooperation, energy security, transport interconnection, financing and practical implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
During the discussion, it was emphasized that modern infrastructure is not only roads, bridges or energy facilities, but a complex system that requires effective management, institutional capacity, international coordination and long-term investments.
The participants paid special attention to the role of regional partnership as one of the key mechanisms for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The instruments of the Central European Initiative were also presented, in particular the CEI Fund at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the CEI Cooperation Fund, which support the preparation of investment projects, technical assistance, strengthening of state institutions, development of partnerships and exchange of experience between countries.
A separate block of the discussion was the issue of Ukraine’s reconstruction in the context of the ongoing war. The participants emphasized that energy security, housing infrastructure, education, medicine, demining, and the development of local self-government are strategic components of the post-war reconstruction of the state and its long-term sustainability.
In addition to participating in the Central European Initiative panel, the representative of the SFUJO Zoryana Holovata joined the ministerial segment of the HLPF 2026, the high-level general debates of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), as well as meetings dedicated to the implementation of the UN Agenda 2030.
Commenting on Ukraine’s participation in international discussions, Zoryana Holovata emphasized the importance of presenting Ukraine’s experience on world platforms.
“It was especially important for me that in these spaces Ukraine was talked about not only through the prism of needs, but in the language of capabilities, experience, and leadership. Ukrainian women and women’s civil society organizations create unique practical knowledge – in communities, volunteer networks, local self-government, education, social support and institutional resilience. Their experience is an important source of solutions, legitimacy and long-term impact – and should be taken into account in international decisions, partnerships and policies that shape Ukraine’s recovery,” she noted.
The SFUWO emphasizes that the participation of Ukrainian women’s organizations in the work of international forums is important for ensuring that the voice of Ukrainian civil society is represented during decision-making on Ukraine’s recovery, international cooperation and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Photo: WFUWO
Author: Inna Mikhno