Permanent Representative Olha Kuryshko participated in the discussion Restoring Local Self-Government in De-Occupied and Frontline Territories during the Fourth High-Level Dialogue Good Democratic Governance in Ukraine: Achievements, Challenges, and the Way Forward in the Post-War Period. The event was supported by the Council of Europe, Members of Parliament, government representatives, and experts.

As part of the event, the Mission presented its strategic developments, which contribute to the government’s broader efforts to prepare for the de-occupation of the peninsula, particularly the restoration of public authority and the cognitive de-occupation of Crimea.

Among the key initiatives was the presentation of Draft Law No. 11064 On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Legal Regime of Martial Law’ Regarding the Specifics of Restoring Public Authority in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol. The draft law aims to establish the legal framework necessary for restoring and ensuring the stable operation of Ukrainian state authorities in Crimea and Sevastopol after de-occupation. In particular, it proposes amendments to current legislation to establish the Military Administration of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and district military administrations, granting them the necessary powers to perform state functions. The draft law was developed with the participation of the Mission, the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Ministry of Infrastructure, and the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service.

Particular attention was given to staffing the process of restoring public authority and training professionals capable of working in liberated territories. In this context, educational programs were highlighted, such as the master’s degrees in Post-Conflict Governance and Governance in Post-War Territories offered by Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, and the program Public Administration in De-Occupied Territories at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University.

Participants of the discussion emphasized that the process of restoring temporarily occupied territories and re-establishing public authority must become a key element of the overall state strategy. It should remain at the center of attention for a wide range of stakeholders, from central executive authorities to international partners and local communities.