News

October 18, 2023, the first meeting of the FIEC-EIC Task Force "Ukraine" (FIEC-EIC Task Force "Ukraine") was held in Kyiv with the participation of Kjetil Tonning, Head of the Task Force "Ukraine" 🏗️

👤 Kjetil Tonning, Head of the FIEC-EIC Task Force "Ukraine", Honorary President of the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC), Regional Director of Heavy Construction at the Norwegian construction company Veidekke paid his first official visit to the Confederation of Builders of Ukraine in Kyiv, on October 17 and 18, 2023.

💬At the same time, Kjetil Tonning noted that with the state of war, the road to Ukraine is organizationally difficult and long, but it is worth it to see first-hand how Ukrainians live now despite the war: "For those who have doubts about whether it is necessary to visit Ukraine for security reasons, I will say that I feel safe here. Traveling to Ukraine is an example of awareness and willingness to participate in its reconstruction."

On the eve of the meeting, Kjetil Tonning visited the city of Irpin in the Kyiv region to see with his own eyes the terrible consequences of the destruction caused by russia. The following facilities were visited:

✔️the destroyed Romaniv bridge, which became the only way of life during the occupation;

✔️the destroyed Central House of Culture and the Central City Stadium "Champion", which also suffered significant damage during the full-scale invasion;

✔️Lyceum No. 3 was rebuilt with funds from the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

During the visit, Andrii Kravchuk, the First Deputy Mayor of Irpin, also demonstrated how the reconstruction of the most destroyed quarter of Irpin between Gostomelskyi highway, Severynivska, Bagirova streets, 10th and 11th Lines is in progress. This part of Irpin became a symbol of the barbaric destruction of the peaceful city by the russians.

☝️The First Deputy Mayor of Irpin emphasized the importance of restoring destroyed and damaged objects now, so that people have a place to live and a place to return to.

During the meeting of the FIEC-EIC Task Force "Ukraine", Kjetil Tonning demonstrated to the participants the destruction that is currently in the Irpin city and that has already been restored. After all, Irpin is one of those settlements that took the blow to prevent the russian invaders from reaching the capital of Ukraine.

🏫Regarding the start of the reconstruction process, as an example, during the meeting, Kjetil Tonning demonstrated the Irpin school, which is designed for 1,800 students and was restored before the beginning of the school year with UNICEF in accordance with high standards. But thousands more objects of both housing and social infrastructure have been destroyed and need urgent restoration.

💬 "Actually, I am pleasantly surprised at how organized reconstruction is in Ukraine despite the war. There is a front and there is reconstruction. Thus, I am very motivated to join the restoration," said the Head of Task Force "Ukraine".

👤Lev Partskhaladze, President of CBU, during the meeting noted that almost every country in the world has its own plan and program for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The Confederation of Builders of Ukraine is interested, with the assistance of FIEC, to join the study and development of proposals in order to restore our country as efficiently and quickly as possible.

👤Oleksandr Chervak, Executive Director of the CBU, also noted the leadership of special commissioners for reconstruction at the government levels of partner countries, which is impressive and demonstrates the readiness of these countries to help Ukraine. So, for example, we are talking about the Governments of Poland, Italy, Finland, Denmark, etc.

In addition, traditionally, during the FIEC-EIC Task Force "Ukraine", the upcoming events for the reconstruction of Ukraine were discussed. Domenico Campogrande, Director General of FIEC, reminded the audience of the importance of participating in the RECOVERY CONSTRUCTION FORUM 2.0, which will take place on November 14, 2023 in Warsaw. He noted that the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between FIEC and the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) regarding the sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine will also take place within the framework of the forum.

💬 "The purpose of such cooperation is to solve many social issues of the reconstruction of Ukraine, in particular - security. It is important that FIEC and EFBWW have the same values", said Domenico Campogrande.

👤Pieter Staelens, Policy Officer, European Commission, DG GROW - Construction, Machinery and Standardisation Unit also added that the issue of financing the reconstruction of Ukraine is a complex process, so it would be appropriate to prepare in advance for the discussion at the forum by collecting relevant issues regarding the cooperation of Ukrainian and foreign construction industry business

Oleksandr Chervak said that two panels will be held as part of RECOVERY CONSTRUCTION FORUM 2.0. The first is about the peculiarities of the construction market in Ukraine and the first results of recovery, and the second is about financing, government initiatives of countries around the world. Also, it is planned to invite to the event the commissioners for the reconstruction of Poland and Italy, so that they share their goals and vision of the recovery process, and the Ukrainian side, in turn, will guide on the urgent priorities of Ukraine.

📅The next meeting of the FIEC-EIC Task Force "Ukraine" is planned after the RECOVERY CONSTRUCTION FORUM 2.0 at the end of November.

Details later.

👉Join the reconstruction of Ukraine and the development of the construction industry together with #CBU: https://kbu.org.ua/

For reference:

CBU, the only representative of Ukraine in the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC), which unites 32 national member federations in 27 European countries and represents the interests of construction enterprises, initiated the creation of the Task Force "Ukraine", which united the entire European construction business for the future recovery of our state.

Thanks to the fruitful cooperation within the framework of the meetings of the FIEC-EIC "Ukraine" target (working) group, Recommendations on the future recovery were developed, which are created for everyone who is interested in the reconstruction of Ukraine

WE WILL WIN AND BUILD EVERYTHING! 💪

TOGETHER TO VICTORY!

GLORY TO UKRAINE! 💙💛