A strategic session was held in Odesa to discuss the development of southern regions in Ukraine.

The event was chaired by Deputy Minister of Community Development Oleksii Riabikin.

Also attending the session was Odesa's Deputy Mayor Hanna Pozdnyakova.

«Today's discussion is aimed at planning a future that considers the needs of people and the potential of territories. It is crucial to integrate regional plans into a national development strategy to create synergy for the country's recovery,» noted Oleksii Riabikin.

During the session, participants addressed key issues facing the regions and identified priority areas for their resolution.

Specifically, for the Odesa region, the focus was on developing transport and logistics infrastructure, the agricultural sector, ensuring energy resilience, and modernizing the port industry.

Significant attention was also given to upgrading social infrastructure, education, supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs), accessibility, and social cohesion.

«Odesa remains a bastion of resilience and development even in the toughest times. We are focusing our efforts on modernizing infrastructure, supporting communities, and strengthening energy security. Strategic planning is not just about the future but also about our ability to adapt to current challenges and create a solid foundation for recovery and prosperity in our region,» emphasized Hanna Pozdnyakova.

This series of events is supported by UNDP Ukraine and financially assisted by the Government of Japan.