“Being part of this conference gives us the opportunity not only to express our political position, but also to meet with business representatives to discuss very specific needs of Ukraine and further rebuilding efforts. This is particularly important because without the involvement of private businesses and organisations, the rebuilding of Ukraine would be almost impossible. It is also crucial to focus on innovation and digitalisation in order to rebuild a modern, resilient and innovative Ukraine, where Ukraine already has a strong foundation and where technology is already working well even in wartime”, said Ms Armonaitė during the event.
The London session also featured a discussion on rebuilding by Howard Graham Buffett, a US businessman who recently returned from Ukraine and announced a $3 million donation.
The Minister also participated in a session on Ukraine’s digital transformation, presenting digitisation achievements in Ukraine, vision for the future and the resilience of the sector. During the discussion, Ms Armonaitė stressed the importance of educational innovation and digitisation, which, according to the Minister, can help ensure Ukraine’s recovery and further prosperity.
Lithuania is already implementing projects to rebuild Ukraine’s infrastructure. One of them has already been completed: a mobile settlement in Borodyanka for 36 families who lost their homes has been handed over to the Ukrainians. Lithuania is working to rebuild a school in Borodyanka damaged by explosions and is renovating a kindergarten in Irpin. The projects are expected to be completed this autumn. Lithuania has also started upgrading the electricity distribution network in Mykolaiv.
All projects have a joint working group and Lithuania is working closely with its Ukrainian partners. Lithuania is also ready to support Ukraine’s IT and technology sectors and to share its competences in the digitalisation of several sectors.
