Local communities will play a key role in the reconstruction of Ukraine, - Larisa Galadza, Canadian Ambassador

Local communities will play a key role in the process of post-war recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.

This opinion was expressed by Larisa Galadza, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Ukraine, in her speech at the 15^th annual Kyiv Security Forum, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s “Open Ukraine” Foundation.

“I am increasingly convinced that the reconstruction and restoration of Ukraine will take place at the local level. It is because the scale of the problem cannot be covered by a national strategy. These effects spill well beyond respective boundaries. Locally, people identify what is needed and start matching the needs to the numbers,” the diplomat said.

The Ambassador emphasized that the impressive number of houses, schools, and hospitals destroyed by the war, as well as the scale of mine pollution across the country.

At the same time, reconstruction efforts, including in economy, must continue. Larisa Galadza is convinced: “I have met many people on the ground – at the local level, they really know better what and how to restore, much better than authorities in Kyiv.”

She also called on to support mental health of Ukrainians, as this is one of important components in the overall rebuilding and restoring Ukraine. “If empathy is present among people of a country, indeed Ukrainians are definitely capable to prevail in peacetime,” she said.

Noteworthy, the 15^th annual Kyiv security forum “For Our and Your Freedom/ Fighting for NATO” will be held on May 25-26, 2023, with the participation of well-known international figures. In particular, at the Forum, the KSF Security Council will be established and a policy document will be adopted with recommendations for the NATO summit in Vilnius to be held this July.