Industry and Government Representatives Plan for Partnerships to Address Sustainment and Reconstruction Requirements in Ukraine

Over 400 stability operations professionals gathered in Warsaw, Poland in September for ISOA’s 3rd Annual Ukraine Conference: Upholding Our Pledge to Assist and Restore Ukraine. During the two+ day conference, leaders from government, industry, and non-profits collaborated to assess the current wartime situation and continue to lay the foundation for effective public/private partnerships to support Ukraine’s sustainment and rebuilding.

Leading off the conference, ISOA Board Chairman Mick Bednarek briefed the audience on the most recent ISOA Delegation to Ukraine. Just prior to the conference, two dozen industry executives joined ISOA leadership on a trip to Kyiv, where they met with and nurtured business relationships with key organizations involved in sustainment and rebuilding Ukraine. The meeting schedule included the Ukraine Minister of Economy; the Ukraine Ministry of Infrastructure; the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine; the State Special Transport Service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine; the UK Embassy in Kyiv Defence Attache; Samaritan’s Purse, a humanitarian implementer; Mine Action Network; the U.S. Embassy Commercial Attache; the U.S. Embassy regional security officer; and Naftogaz Group, the largest energy holder in Ukraine. More details about the delegation’s visit are available for ISOA members through the ISOA Ukraine Working Group.

Throughout the conference, attendees heard from key U.S. military leaders and planners, including Maj. Gen. James Kriesel, USAF, who briefed attendees on the strategic importance of winning the conflict, and representatives from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the 928th Contracting Command, who reviewed important upcoming projects and how to engage.

Representatives from NATO were on hand to brief about the strategic direction, the large growth in NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) funding, and specifics on how to prepare businesses to support them in their mission. Keynote speaker Lt Gen Lance K. Landrum, USAF (Ret), 23rd Deputy Chair NATO, addressed NATO’s strategy of deterrence in peacetime and war.

Support for Ukraine involves development as well as defense and diplomacy, and as a result, several sessions focused on partnering with USAID. Jami Rodgers, Chief Acquisition Officer and Senior Procurement Executive at USAID discussed bringing a spirit of curiosity and innovation to USAID, and highlighted how USAID intends to make it easier to work with partners. An informal luncheon with the USAID team provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to hear updates about USAID initiatives and ask questions about how to partner. ISOA is grateful for the attendance of other USAID representatives, including Enrique “Tony” Steiner from OSBDU; Chris Abrams, Senior Development Advisor, Central Europe, Sean Callahan, Senior Development Advisor to EUCOM and Janiere Pereira, Program Specialist.

Keynote Speaker Andy Hunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, focused on the resilience of the Ukrainian business community and emphasized that Ukraine is open for business. He encouraged anyone interested in doing business there to contact AmCham to help get established in Ukraine, including getting partnered, licensed, and other required activities.

Other panel discussions delved into critical current topics such as the importance of winning the war from a global perspective; sources of funding and risk mitigation for major projects in Ukraine; requirements and strategies for energy in rebuilding Ukraine; the need for upgrading the Ukrainian healthcare system; how businesses need to prepare themselves now to do business in Ukraine after the war; demining requirements and activities; and programs to support returning veterans in the construction industry.

Attendees enjoyed a fast-paced, productive business matchmaking session – we call it speed dating for business – during which companies met one-on-one with representatives from prime contractors and government clients.

ISOA would like to thank the sponsors, exhibitors, attendees, and volunteers for their contributions in making the conference a dynamic and productive event. We hope to see you at the 18th Annual ISOA Summit in November.