At the meeting attended by local governance representatives, diplomats and European institution members highlighted the significance of communities in Ukraine's resilience and ability to withstand wartime challenges.
A moment of silence honored the soldiers who lost their lives for the freedom of Ukraine and all of Europe, marking the beginning of a two-day forum attended by nearly 400 representatives of Ukrainian communities, parliament, government, and international organizations.
Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reminded that December 7 is celebrated across the country as Local Self-Governance Day, initiated by the Association of Cities of Ukraine back in 2000. It is, in essence, a true Day of Democracy.
The mayor announced that three new communities have joined the Association of Cities of Ukraine, bringing the total to 1080, which encompasses 95% of the country's population.
The Ukrainian Municipal Forum is an annual event recognized as a platform for discussing pressing issues and challenges facing local governance, aiming to establish a common stance and steps for successful resolution.
Klitschko spoke about the threats to local governance and the ability of communities to defend their autonomy.
"I would like to remind you that local governance in every European country is the foundation of a strong state and democracy. If we are talking about our democratic future, we must have a strong, solid local governance system," said the mayor.
Among the achievements of the past year, the head of the Association of Cities of Ukraine noted the passage of a law that aligns with the European Charter of Local Self-Government.
"This law met the Ukraine Facility indicator, which led our European partners to increase aid to Ukraine to 560 million euros," Klitschko explained.
Key tasks for the 19th Ukrainian Municipal Forum include developing a position on how to provide municipalities with adequate funding, creating conditions for business development in communities, and ensuring decent living conditions for all internally displaced persons.
"Our main task is to provide maximum support to our defenders. We are doing everything to ensure the needs of our military and their families. We will continue to help, regardless of the decisions and actions of other authorities. I am confident that we can achieve this when we stand together!" the Kyiv mayor stated.