Representatives of Pragma Consulting Group, Partner Alyona Shulima and Expert on Socio-Political Affairs Oleksandra Shulima, took part in the Carpathian 8 Summit, the first founding summit of the eight countries of the Carpathian region, held in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.
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The initiative aims to build effective cooperation between the states of the Carpathian region: Ukraine, Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia.
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The Summit brought together almost 1,400 participants from 25 countries. They included around 500 business representatives, as well as heads of state, representatives of governments and EU institutions, regional and community leaders, international partners, and young leaders of the Carpathian region. Ukraine was represented by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi, Members of Parliament, ministers, deputy ministers, and other officials of the executive branch, along with representatives of business and youth.
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Particularly noteworthy were the panel discussion on the potential of the Carpathians as a new region of economic growth for Europe and the strategic dialogue on turning regional potential into joint investment. Throughout the day, participants discussed flagship investment projects and financial instruments, public-private partnerships and investment mobilisation for strategic infrastructure, investment cases from regions and businesses, and human capital development as the foundation of regional growth.
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Another highlight for us was the closing panel on sustainable tourism, biodiversity conservation, natural resources, and climate policy. Speakers stressed that preserving the Carpathians is a shared responsibility of the state, communities, and partners.
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Ukraine's swift European integration, the development of regional cooperation, and a responsible approach to the environment remain strategic priorities for Ukraine, key factors in the stability of the entire European continent, and a focus of our team's work.
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