The aim of the German-Ukrainian partnership conferences is to strengthen the network of German-Ukrainian municipal partnerships, to identify opportunities for action and cooperation between Ukrainian, German and other European partner municipalities in times of war and to send a signal of solidarity with Ukrainian municipalities and regions.
The sixth German-Ukrainian municipal partnership conference held in Leipzig from 13 to 15 November 2023 was aimed at mayors, district councillors and representatives of German, Ukrainian and selected European municipalities engaged in partnerships. It offered an opportunity to discuss current needs, projects and challenges in a moderated dialogue. The conference highlighted examples of best practice from European municipal cooperation, including on the topics of water supply and urban development. Various panel discussions focussed on how to strengthen local self-government and the role of Ukrainian, German and European partner municipalities in reconstruction. Specialist excursions in Leipzig rounded off the conference programme.
Highlights of the conference were the participation and speeches by high-ranking political representatives – including German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Selenskyj, German Federal Minister Svenja Schulze and the Lord Mayors of Leipzig and Kyiw, Burkhard Jung and Vitaliy Klitschko. A round table for German and Ukrainian mayors and district chief executives was organised by the Association of German Cities, in cooperation with the German County Association, the Association of German Towns and Municipalities and the Association of Ukrainian Cities.
