UWC leadership joins fifth Ukrainian diaspora business forum

KYIV – Leaders of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) participated in the Fifth Business Forum of the Ukrainian Diaspora, titled “The Global Ukrainian Community in Times of Challenge — the Diaspora for Ukraine.”

The event, held on May 28, was organized by the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Participants discussed the diaspora’s role in supporting Ukraine during the war, with a focus on reconstruction efforts and attracting investment. They also explored ways to enhance Ukraine’s international image.

Nataliya Poshyvaylo-Towler, UWC Vice President for Southern and Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Türkiye, and Lebanon, delivered a welcome address to the forum attendees.

“After the Russian-Ukrainian war ends, at least 3 million Ukrainians may continue living abroad. […] That’s why it is essential to begin discussing the diaspora’s contribution to Ukraine’s economy now and to foster a mindful approach to economic relations. […] Preserving Ukrainian identity has a direct impact on the economy,” said Poshyvaylo-Towler.

Welcoming remarks were also made by Bohdan Rajčinec, President of the European Congress of Ukrainians; Oleksii Chernyshov, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Unity; Mariana Betsa, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Ukrainian Community at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; along with other distinguished guests.

Chernyshov expressed his gratitude to the Ukrainian diaspora for their continuous and heartfelt informational, humanitarian, and volunteer support during these challenging times.

Kateryna Argyrou, Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations (AFUO) and Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Sydney, participated in the panel discussion titled “The Ukrainian Diaspora: A Bridge to the World — Advocacy, Cultural Diplomacy, Business Promotion, and Coordination with the State.”

During the panel, Argyrou highlighted the activities of the AFUO, which include fundraising for Ukraine’s military, providing humanitarian aid, actively lobbying for international support for Ukraine, and assisting Ukrainian displaced persons.

“Before the full-scale war, we actively worked to reduce trade barriers between Ukraine and Australia. Now, given the new realities, our focus has shifted back to supporting businesses, promoting reconstruction, and attracting investment to Ukraine,” said Argyrou.

The discussion also featured Dmitrii Lecartev, Chair of the National Congress of Ukrainians in Moldova (NCUM) and representative of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Moldova.

Lecartev shared the successful experience of the NCUM, highlighting that close cooperation with Ukrainian businesses was a key factor in their achievements.

The forum was attended online by Alex Greceniuc, President of the World Congress of Ukrainian Youth Organization; Zenon Potoczny, Vice President of the Ukrainian World Congress for Operations and President of the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce; Mykhaylo Petrunyak, President of the Federation of Associations of Ukrainians in Spain; and Miroslav Hočak, Vice President for the UWC and the European Congress of Ukrainians, as well as President of the Ukrainian-Serbian Business Chamber.