Ukrainian–Dutch Conference — resilient regions and reconstruction

Oost NL brings together Dutch and Ukrainian public authorities, businesses and knowledge institutions to explore cooperation between the eastern Netherlands and the Kherson region. The conference connects lessons from wartime crisis management with practical opportunities for sustainable reconstruction, economic development and long-term partnerships.

The morning begins with Fons de Zeeuw, Oost NL’s Director International, followed by a welcome from Wendy de Jong, whose participation is subject to confirmation. Contributions from Kherson and Oost NL lead into a panel on regional resilience, reconstruction and public-private cooperation, involving representatives of Gelderland, Overijssel and the Kherson regional authorities.

After a networking lunch, participants join one of two parallel sessions. The resilience session examines crisis preparedness, essential services and emergency assistance, with Maria Bohodukhova and Joshua Bax, moderated by Jan Pol. The agri-food session explores food production, irrigation, processing, logistics, water, energy and investment, with experts from Kherson Agri University, Kherson Regional Development Agency and Oost NL; Malou Vijfhuizen and Wibo van Wier moderate.

The event is intended for government representatives, entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions, emergency services and regional development agencies interested in international cooperation and reconstruction. The working language is English. The programme may change.

Wednesday 9 December 2026 at Oost NL, Laan van Malkenschoten 40, 7333 NP Apeldoorn. Reception and coffee are from 09:30, the programme starts at 10:00, lunch is 12:00–12:45, parallel sessions run 12:45–14:30 and the closing plenary is 14:45–15:00. Networking drinks continue until 16:00. The organiser does not state an admission fee.

Register with Oost NL and consult the original programme. For arrival, use the organiser’s route instructions: Oost NL warns that Google Maps can direct drivers to the wrong entrance.

Image: illustrative Ukrainian-flag photograph used by Oost NL on the event page; not a photograph of the conference.