Press Releases
Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Session on the occasion of the "Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction”
On February 19, “WPS session” was held on the occasion of the "Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction," for the purpose of considering concrete ways to incorporate a Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) perspective into Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction efforts. The Session was held with attendance of Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa as a lead speaker, H.E. Ms. Yuliia SVYRYDENKO, First Deputy Prime Minister- Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Ms. Anna Stanislavivna YURCHENKO, Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine; sector; Ms. Lenna Koszarny, Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Horizon Capital and Ms. Natalia Karbowska, Director on strategic development, Ukrainian Women’s Fund (online).
- At the outset of the session, referring to her visit to Ukraine in January of this year, Foreign Minister Kamikawa emphasized the need for "reintegration" of families, communities, and the entire nationals in Ukraine, and introduced Japan's approach to such "reintegration" and its WPS-related efforts in support of Ukraine. FM Kamikawa then announced the launch of the new "WPS HIMAWARI friends network" (HIMAWARI: Sunflower in Japanese)as a platform for promoting WPS. The Minister also stated that she would move forward with international WPS efforts in Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction.
- FM Kamikawa’s speech was followed by guest speakers from the Ukrainian side: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Ms. Yuliia Anatoliivna SVRYDENKO (video message); Ms. Anna Stanislavivna YURCHENKO, Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine(in person); ; Ms. Lenna Koszarny, Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Horizon Capital(in person); Ms. Natalia Karbowska, Director on strategic development, Ukrainian Women’s Fund (online). They discussed WPS's efforts and challenges in Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction from the perspectives of government, business, and civil society, which led to lively discussion.
- To conclude the session, Foreign Minister Kamikawa stated that, in addition to the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, she would like to promote the international efforts of the WPS as and work with all concerning parties to promote the " WPS HIMAWARI friends network," which she newly launched in the session. At the end of the session, FM Kamikawa presented T-shirts with sunflower designs to the Ukrainian refugees who participated in the meeting.
