International Conference “Green Resource Efficient Economy: New Challenges and Opportunities For Economic Growth In Ukraine”

International Conference “Green Resource Efficient Economy: New Challenges And Opportunities For Economic Growth In Ukraine” took place on the21st of November 2013 at the Conference Hall of the Presidium of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine(Kyiv, 55,Volodymyrska Str.).

The event was organized by Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine and Scientific and Research Economic Institute (SREI) with support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Centre, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine, German Society for International Cooperation GIZ and pubic organization “Ukrainian-German Forum”.

Luidmyla Musina, the UNIDO and ЕаР Green Coordinator in Ukraine, opened the Conference and greeted the participants on behalf of Anatoliy Maksiuta, the First Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine.

“The Resolution adopted by the UN Conference on sustainable development “Rio+20” last year has positively contributedtowardstheelaborationofnationalstrategiesandpoliciesof “green” economy development in many countries. At the same time many issues related to these strategies and policies still need to be addressed. Thus, world experience application along with the Ukrainian experts research in this area is urgent for the elaboration of the efficient model of economic development and growth in Ukraine”, - Anatoliy Maksiuta stated in his greeting speech.

The First Deputy Minister mentioned a number of initiatives implemented by Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine for strengthening international cooperation coordination in the area of “green” economy and “green” industry. These initiatives include: Strategy of cooperation with international financial organizations and technical assistance coordination for the years 2013 - 2017 approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in September of this year; launch of Program “Greening Economies in the European Union’s Eastern Partnership Countries”, as well as the development of new strategy for cooperation between Ukraine and the UNIDO for the years 2014-2018, as well as the intentions of gradual transformation of the Millennium Development Goals into Sustainable Development Goals with consideration of tasks of the Agenda for the period after the year 2015. Anatoliy Maksiuta wished the Conference participants fruitful work and elaboration of practical recommendations aimed at increase of the Ukrainian economy efficiency and reduction of negative impact on environment and living conditions of the Ukrainian citizens.

The Conference participants were also greeted by Madina Dzharbusinova, Ambassador, the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine, Program“Greening Economies in the European Union’s Eastern Partnership Countries”, Jean Francois Mare, the European Union Representative in Ukraine, Angela Bularga, Program EaP GREEN OECD-EU-UN, Anton Virt, the Head of the Program“Economic Development and Employment Promotion in Ukraine” funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Federal Republic of Germany.

The Conference Plenary Session was dedicated to the discussion of state policy of “green” economy development in Ukraine in the context of international experience and new opportunities for Ukraine. Olena Chmyr, the Deputy Director, SREI, Doctor of Economics, presented for discussion a draft Concept of State Policy for “Green” Economy Development in Ukraine. O.Markova, Ex-Head of the Department of Strategic Development at Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic, GIZ expert, told about the Czech Republic experience in economy “greening”. Tetyana Stepankova, the Deputy Head, public organization “Ukraine-Germany Forum” introduced the participants into the practical aspects of implementation of pilot investment program “Green Cities” in Ukraine. Tetyana Halushkina, the Director of the Department at Institute of market research and economic and ecological studies at National Academy of Science Ukraine (NASU), Doctor of Economics, presented NASU vision of conceptual principles and mechanisms for implementation of “green” economy policy in Ukraine.

The Conference 1st Session was dedicated to support to the development of resource efficient and cleaner production in Ukraine. “Green” industry concept and perspectives of its development were outlined in the presentation by Petra Schwager, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); Ihor Shylovich, the Director of the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Centre created in Ukraine with the UNIDO support told the participants about experience of introduction of resource efficient and cleaner production in Ukraine and presented recommendations on state policy support in this area. Luidmyla Musina, the UNIDO and ЕаР Green Coordinator in Ukraine, presented the main provisions of draft Lima Resolution on inclusive and sustainable industrial development to be approved at the 15th General UNIDO Conference in Lima (Chili, December 2-6, 2013).

Nataliya Trofymenko, the Deputy Director of the Department at Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine in her presentation focused on cleaner production as one of the priorities of Ecological Strategy of Ukraine and National Action Plan for its implementation for the period 2011-2015 – “Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources is interested in presentation of the Concept to the Government consideration as soon as possible”, - stated N. Trofymenko.

Vyacheslav Potapenko, consultant from the National Institute of Strategic Studies, presented for common discussion draft Concept of introduction of cleaner production in Ukraine, developed by the working group formed as a result of the Round Table “Prospects for the Development of Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production in Ukraine – Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Center Legal Framework” (October 8, 2013).

Yevgen Klep, the Head of Horlivka City Council, Donetsk oblast, shared his experience of practical work on formation of “green” mentality, development of “green” economy and creation of pilot “green city” model in the city of Horlivka. Yevgen Klep focused on special status of Horlivka as technogenic and industrially congested city; he also introduced the Conference participants into the City Council main directions of activity currently allowing resolution of long-standing problems related to ecological issues and the citizens’ living conditions.

The Head of the City Council also provided information about"Stirolbiopharm" LLC as an example of“green model” enterprise focused on energy resources systematic saving. It is the first pharmaceutical enterprise which completely refused from natural gas consumption and operates on renewable energy sources and introduces ecological innovations. Maxim Lebedyev, the Director of"Stirolbiopharm" LLC shared his experience on“green” energy introduction with the aim of achieving the enterprise independence from gas consumption.

Yevhen Inshekov, the Director of the Centre for energy managers training at the National Technical University of Ukraine, Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI), completed the 1st Session with the presentation “On the perspectives of introduction of energy management systems in industrial sector of Ukraine”.

The Conference 2nd Session was dedicated to elaboration of the indicators system for monitoring and assessment of progress of “green” economy development in Ukraine. Angela Bularga, the OECD Project Coordinator, “Greening Development in Eastern Partnership Countries EC”, the OECD Ecological Directorate, introduced the participants into the OECD set of indicators for“green” growth and its application on national level.

Tetyana Kvasha, the Head of the Department of forecast and analytical support of innovation activities, Ukrainian Institute of Scientific and Technical and Economic Information, Derzhinformnauki told about work with“green” growth indicators for Ukraine under the pilot study and possibilities of their adaptation for Ukraine. Oleg Prokopenko, the Head of the Department of Ecological Statistics at Ukrstat joined the discussion.

The Final Session of the International Conference was dedicated to summing up the results and the development of the Conference recommendations. Makhir Aliyev, the Regional Director of the UN Ecological Program (UNEP) underlined the importance of Ukraine movement in the direction of “green” economy and the need for coordination of international organizations activities for acceleration of the development processes related to “green” growth in Ukraine. The representatives from the central power bodies, scientific and civil society organizations expressed their proposals on creation of a working group for finalizing draft Concept of State Policy for “Green” Economy Development in Ukraine, as well as the development of the National Report on the preconditions and perspectives of introduction of a systematic approach to structural transformation of the Ukrainian economy in the direction of sustainable development through creation of incentives for efficient use of resources, sound waste management, introduction of ecologically safe technologies, support of innovative entrepreneurship and jobs, etc.

Recommendations for the state bodies on political instruments for “green” economy promotion, sustainable industrial development and resource efficient production in Ukraine to be elaborated based on the Conference results.