Mr. Andreas Klein, Director, KAS PDA in his welcome remarks emphasised the unwavering support of KAS and Germany to support Ukraine against Russia’s unlawful invasion and condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. He also reminded the audience of KAS work on Ukraine (e.g. Café Kiev) and of the country offices that KAS had in Ukraine until recently.

Oleksandr Sienkevych, Mayor of Mykolaiv, Ukraine thanked Mr. Klein and lauded the work of the Foundation. He briefly explained the situation on-site in Mykolaiv and the damage caused to Mykolaiv’s energy- and water facilities due to Russia’s attacks. Hannah Montavon, CEO of the Mykolaiv Water Hub and Advisor to the Mayor, presented the vision and idea of the “WaterHub” – a Ukrainian-German initiative that aims to facilitate the transition of the South of Ukraine from being frontline region to an innovative ecosystem with its main focus on water, energy and food industries. 

As a background it is important to note that the South of Ukraine is a water-scarce region and Russians have cut off Mykolaiv completely from the water source, Montavon mentioned. Starting from April 2022, Mykolaiv with its 500.000 inhabitants did not have a reliable water source. By blocking the sea ports and ruining the Kakhovka Dam, Russia was also destroying the agricultural sector of Ukraine as the mayor and Mrs. Montavon explained. 

The Water-Hub is therefore a challenge and a chance to diversify Mykolaiv’s water sources, to implement new innovative water, energy and food solutions, and to create a nourishing environment for research and development, as well as startups and economic cooperation.

KAS was also joined by EU Ambassador to ASEAN, Iwona Piórko and Member of European Parliament and the Head of the Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mr. Daniel Caspary (EVP).