On April 7, 2025, ICEED attended a high-level conference convened by the NATO Defence College Foundation (NDCF) focused on the Eastern European region.
The conference featured strategic discussions focused on Ukraine’s reconstruction, European security, and the challenges facing Eastern Europe in the context of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. The event brought together international experts, Ukrainian government officials, defense industry specialists, and business leaders to explore critical issues, including EU and NATO approaches to the war in Ukraine, promoting the growth of the European defense industry, ensuring the region’s economic resilience, developing joint strategies for combating threats to economic stability, and financing reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. Discussions took place across three panels:
- Session 1: ‘The EU and NATO: Inclusion and Security Scenarios’
- Session 2: ‘The Reconstruction Challenge’
- Session 3: ‘Blended Threats and Regional Resilience’
Throughout the event, the importance of maintaining Transatlantic unity was emphasized alongside the development of a comprehensive approach to reconstruction in Ukraine that involves both public and private sectors. The conference highlighted Ukraine’s continued need for international support and a united response to Russian aggression, while also addressing other complex challenges such as corruption, economic recovery, and long-term security in the region.
Ukrainian government officials at the event emphasized Ukraine’s reconstruction as a matter of urgency and suggested that frozen Russian assets should be used to pay for reconstruction. The business opportunities posed by reconstruction efforts were highlighted, as reflected in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s growth in the region since 2022.
ICEED will continue to engage with these important NATO initiatives, closely monitor regional developments, and contribute its expertise wherever possible to promote economic security, resilience, and sustainable reconstruction efforts globally.