“The multi-level governance and the strengthening of local autonomy have played a major role in the country’s resilience in times of war”, stressed Congress President Marc Cools (Belgium, ILDG) at the Forum “Implementation of the Decentralisation Reform in Ukraine – State and Prospects”, organised by the Committee on the Organisation of State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning of the Ukrainian Parliament on 5 December 2023, in Bucha, Ukraine.

President Cools hailed the efforts undertaken by Ukrainian authorities with regard to the decentralisation reform launched in 2014. He recognised the unavoidable process of re-centralisation caused by the ongoing war and the restrictions imposed on local authorities by martial law. President Cools stressed the need to align with the principles of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which provides for proportional and temporary derogations.

The Congress President welcomed the draft Roadmap on Good Democratic Governance, to which the Congress contributed. The Roadmap is a clear sign of the Ukrainian national authorities’ commitment to decentralisation and to the restauration of civilian local authorities when the conditions will allow. President Cools reiterated the dedication of the Congress to continue supporting local and national authorities in this process.