(AGENPARL) – Tue 28 October 2025 Image
PRESS RELEASE
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Ref. CG072(2025)
Council of Europe Congress: Work on Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction must not wait for the agreement of a just and sustainable peace
The Congress reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, and condemned once again the fact that the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine continued to cause the mass loss of innocent lives and human suffering, as well as the targeted destruction of cultural heritage and of vital infrastructure, which represented human rights violations unprecedented in recent European history.
The Declaration commended the work of Ukraine’s local and regional authorities to ensure the provision of emergency support and the functioning of public services in the most difficult of circumstances, as well as the support provided by subnational authorities from other member states. Recognising that accountability will be required for a just peace, the Congress reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local and regional authorities in Ukraine to contribute to the work of the Register of Damage. The Congress also emphasised that a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine will be an important element of justice.
The Congress expressed its strong support to efforts to bring an end to Russia’s war of aggression, in the understanding that only a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on the UN Charter and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within  internationally recognised borders extending to its territorial waters, can be a sustainable peace – peace whereby Ukraine’s territory and communities can prosper in safety and security.
The Congress underlined that work on the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine must not wait for the agreement of a just peace but is already underway now and should continue to be implemented at local and regional levels – including  the work done by local and regional authorities to ensure the ongoing provision of vital public services such as housing, transport and the supply of water and energy. In this regard, the Declaration reiterated that the further decentralisation of power in Ukraine will underpin more efficient recovery and reconstruction, welcoming the process on decentralisation reform currently underway with Congress support. The Declaration also underlined the importance of “rebuilding better” by establishing long-term and predictable funding mechanisms to support local and regional authorities in Ukraine as they lead recovery and reconstruction efforts.
With the hope that a meaningful peace process to end Russia’s war against Ukraine might be possible, Congress members reaffirmed their solidarity with the Ukrainian people and authorities and their commitment to a common, democratic future based on respect for international law and a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is an institution of the Council of Europe, responsible for strengthening local and regional democracy in its 46 member states. Composed of two chambers – the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions – and three committees, it brings together 612 elected officials representing more than 130 000 local and regional authorities.
President of the Congress: Marc Cools (Belgium, ILDG), President of the Chamber of Local Authorities: Bernd Vöhringer (Germany, EPP/CCE), President of the Chamber of Regions: Cecilia Dalman Eek (Sweden, SOC/G/PD).
Political groups: Group of Socialists, Greens and Progressive Democrats (SOC/G/PD), Group of the European Peoples Party (EPP/CCE), Independent Liberal and Democratic Group (ILDG), European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR).
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