Bern, Switzerland – The Global Ukrainian Summit 2026, organized by the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) in cooperation with the Ukrainian Society of Switzerland, officially opened on 5 June.
The large-scale event, running until 7 June, has brought together Ukrainian and international leaders, government officials, business representatives, civil society actors, and community leaders. In total, more than 300 participants from 50 countries are taking part.
The main goal of the meeting is to strengthen coordinated support for Ukraine at a critical moment for its defense, recovery, and global advocacy.
The summit opened with a minute of silence, during which attendees honored the memory of fallen defenders who gave their lives in the struggle for Ukraine’s freedom, as well as all victims of Russian aggression.
UWC President Paul Grod emphasised in his welcoming address the importance of unity and consolidation of global Ukrainians at a decisive time for the country.
“Why is this summit so important? Because right here, in this very room, the leadership of the global Ukrainian community is gathered. And it is from here that we will chart the course of our work for years to come. Our goals remain unchanged: Ukraine’s victory and Russia’s defeat, the reconstruction of Ukraine, and a strong global Ukrainian community,” Grod said.
Distinguished guests joined the opening segment, including Jacques Gerber, Delegate of the Swiss Federal Council for Ukraine; Oleh Didenko, Head of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine; Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariana Betsa; and Ilona Havronska, Deputy Minister of Social Policy.
“We must be united, because the enemy is counting on our disunity. Unity is the foundation of our success, and Ukraine is already proving that it is a strong European nation that is fighting for its sovereignty and for the future of freedom around the world,” Betsa said.
Participants were also welcomed by Iryna Kisil, co-owner and member of the Supervisory Board of Meest Group, as well as the main sponsor of the event. Letters to participants were delivered by Iryna Kliuchkovska, Director of the International Institute of Education, Culture, and Diaspora Relations (IECDR), and Alla Atamanenko, director of the Ukrainian Diaspora Research Institute named after Professor Lyubomir Vynar of the Ostroh Academy National University.
Ukrainian servicewoman, former Russian prisoner of war, paramedic, volunteer, and volunteer fighter Yuliia Paievska (“Taira”) urged summit participants to continue supporting Ukraine.
The keynote speaker at the opening was publicist Mykola Riabchuk, who presented a report on the power of unity within the global Ukrainian community.
The program of the event will cover a wide range of critical issues. Participants will discuss, among other topics, the mobilization of international assistance for Ukraine’s defense. Frontline perspectives and insights will be shared by active participants in the war, including representatives of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, the National Guard, and military paramedics.
Key discussion topics will include global advocacy, strengthening sanctions pressure on Russia, protecting the rights of Ukrainian displaced persons in the EU, and coordinating reconstruction efforts during the war through UWC initiatives.
Special attention will be given to preserving national identity through education and culture, engaging youth, and countering Russian hybrid influence in the media.
The final plenary session of the summit will be dedicated to affirming the unity and resilience of the global Ukrainian community in the face of contemporary global challenges.
