The Fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 Concludes in Rome with Strong Emphasis on Gender-Responsive Recovery

Kyiv, July 14 - The 4th Ukraine Recovery Conference  (URC2025) wrapped up in Rome, Italy, with a strong reaffirmation of women’s leadership roles in driving Ukraine’s recovery. Since its start in Lugano in 2022, the URC has been a key platform for mobilizing international support to address Ukraine’s immediate recovery and long-term reconstruction needs after Russia’s full-scale invasion.

In close cooperation with government and civil society partners, UN Women advocates for gender-responsive recovery to take center stage at URC sessions and for women to participate fully in the discussions on Ukraine’s recovery. Increased participation is expected to help unlock improved financing for gender equality and women’s empowerment to better meet the needs of women and girls during Ukraine’s recovery, which remains an urgent need.

At the URC2025’s start, together with the Governments of Ukraine and Germany, Georgetown University’s Women Peace and Security Institute, and UN Women’s Italy National Committee, UN Women hosted a networking meeting of the Alliance of Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery for Ukraine. Alliance members shared best practices of their contribution to the Gender Alliance since the 2024 URC when the Alliance was launched by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ) and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, with UN Women’s support. 

UN Women announced 34 new Alliance members, expanding the total number to 96, including representatives from governments, international organizations, UN agencies the private sector and civil society, all committed to build a recovery that is inclusive, gender-responsible, equitable, and sustainable for all.

A special panel on “Gender Equality and Women’s Leadership in Recovery and Reconstruction” was also part of the official URC program. Eugenia Roccella, Minister for Family, Natality, and Equal Opportunities opened the panel by stating: "The Ukrainian people have the right to take back control of their lives, to rebuild their present, and to look to the future with confidence," and that "in this context, the role of women is crucial in ensuring a solid and sustainable restart, especially during the delicate post-conflict phases."

Olha Stefanyshina, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration - Minister of Justice of Ukraine said: “Recovery is not only about the physical rebuilding of cities. It is about people who shape the future, rebuilding trust, strengthening institutions, and ensuring inclusion. That is why Ukrainian women — who not only uphold the country’s resilience during the war but also stand on the frontlines alongside men — must be at the center of policies, funding, and decision-making.”

The panel gathered speakers from civil society, international financial institutions, and donor organizations, Ukrainian and Italian governments and UN Women. They highlighted Ukrainian women’s essential roles in humanitarian response and development, as well as a pressing need for gender responsive financing of recovery. Currently less than 1% of all financing for recovery focuses on gender equality and women's empowerment. Women’s rights and women-led civil society organizations struggle to assist women meet their basic needs.

Kirsi Madi, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women Deputy Executive Director, highlighted the importance of the Alliance as a powerful expression of collective commitment to a recovery that upholds the rights of Ukraine’s women and girls and responds to their needs: "Sustainable peace requires long-term investment in recovery, justice, and resilience — anchored in the leadership of women and youth. At UN Women, we are at the forefront of ensuring that Ukraine’s recovery is not only about restoring institutions but about building a more inclusive and equal future. Women’s leadership must be embedded in every decision, every policy, and every investment. Through the Alliance for Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery, we are mobilizing collective action to make gender equality a driving force of Ukraine’s recovery and lasting peace."

Natalia Karbowska of the Ukrainian Women’s Fund stressed the impact of civil society in advancing gender-responsive recovery through initiatives like the Platform for Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusion and the CSO Consultative Panel and tools such as “10 Blocks of Gender Inclusive Recovery” to improve the incorporation of the needs of women and men, boys and girls from diverse groups.  

Claudia Segre of the Global Thinking Foundation spoke on the potential of inclusive finance and emerging technologies in fostering a sustainable and equitable recovery.

Representatives of the EU, EBRD, and Horizon Capital — including Stefan Schleuning, Marko Stermsek, and Lenna Koszarny — reaffirmed commitments to financing women’s economic empowerment and leadership, and embedding gender equality into recovery plans and reforms.

Dr. Norbert Wühler highlighted the need for interim reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, support for women organizations working with CRSV survivors stressing the need for sufficient financing of the programs for CRSV survivors to ensure justice, efficient reintegration and social cohesion.

Key outcomes of the panel included:

• Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of Ukraine and Italy outlining next steps for cooperation beyond URC2025.

• Stronger donor and institutional commitments to gender-responsive financing, including an additional EUR 7 million from the EU to support women’s engagement in political, social, and economic life, government capacity for gender-sensitive reforms and expansion of grassroots and CSO networks. 

• Agreement to continue to advocate for women’s access to rights and participation in decision making in recovery across interest groups, including rural women, women in the diaspora, CRSV survivors, etc.

The session concluded with Ukrainian women veterans, rural women, CRSV survivors and diaspora sharing their vision of the needs of different groups of Ukrainian women and with a joint call to action to address these needs in recovery planning and implementation.

Sabine Freizer Gunes, UN Women Representative in Ukraine, summarized the outcomes of the gender agenda at URC2025: “We have made great progress in bringing gender equality to the center of URC discussions, while the Government of Ukraine has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. We have shown how powerful, resilient, and proactive Ukraine’s women’s civil society is. Yet it is crucial that effective financing mechanisms support these efforts — ensuring that women-led initiatives are not only recognized, but also sustainably funded, scaled, and fully integrated into every layer of Ukraine’s recovery. We appreciate the financial support of all donor countries and their commitment to advancing gender equality and women economic empowerment in Ukraine. Together, we are shaping a just recovery — with women at the center.”

Photo: UN Women