Lviv hosted the ANZ–Ukraine Cooperation Forum 2026, an international event bringing together representatives from business, government institutions, and the defence and technology sectors of Australia, New Zealand, and Ukraine. Over three days, participants explored topics such as security, investment, project management, critical infrastructure restoration, and emerging opportunities for cooperation between the countries.
The forum was organised by the New Zealand Ukraine Business Association and the Australia-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce, bringing together leaders from the public sector, business, civil society, and subject-matter experts. The programme included thematic plenary sessions, expert discussions, and one-on-one meetings designed to foster partnerships between businesses from the three countries.
Key topics of the forum: from security to investment and innovation
The forum programme covered a wide range of topics that define the architecture of modern strategic partnership:
- State security and stability: cybersecurity challenges, hybrid threats, coordination among international law enforcement agencies, and responses to emergencies in wartime conditions.
- Defence technologies and innovations: unmanned systems, robotics, electronic warfare, and the development of defence engineering and new manufacturing solutions under combat conditions.
- Investment and regional development: opportunities for foreign investors, development of industrial parks, financing of reconstruction, and creation of sustainable business models in regions near the front line.
- Public procurement and transparent reconstruction mechanisms: business participation in Prozorro and donor tenders, adherence to compliance standards, and international best practices in reconstruction project management.
- Humanitarian, medical, and social programmes: rehabilitation of veterans, medical innovations, sports diplomacy, identification of missing persons, and restoration of the cultural environment.
Thanks to its interdisciplinary nature, the forum has served as a platform for fostering practical partnerships between businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and Ukraine.
Experience of BDO in Ukraine and international business tools
As part of the panel discussion on “Investment and Regional Development,” Vira Savchenko, CEO of BDO in Ukraine, delivered a presentation highlighting BDO’s approach when working with international investors. She emphasized that the process begins not with the abstract concept of “the Ukrainian market,” but with identifying the specific commercial “channel” a company intends to enter.
There are four main commercial channels in Ukraine:
- Prozorro — public procurement, through which state institutions acquire goods, works, and services via the national electronic procurement system.
- IMF and donor procurement — projects financed or regulated by international financial organisations and donors. While the client may be a Ukrainian entity, procurement rules are determined by the donor or bank.
- Private procurement — procurement by Ukrainian corporations, international companies operating in Ukraine, and their supply chains.
- Sale and privatisation — an auction-based mechanism for purchasing or leasing state and municipal assets.
In her presentation, Ms. Savchenko highlighted the tools BDO in Ukraine has developed to support foreign investors and companies. These tools include:
- Investor’s guide
- 8 Practical Steps for Business Participation in Ukraine’s Reconstruction guide
- Doing Business in Ukraine updated guide
- Guide to Public Procurements in Ukraine
- Guide on Business Travel to Ukraine
These and other resources are designed to help international companies navigate regulatory requirements, tax regulations, and potential market entry models.
Emphasising the role of Australia and New Zealand, the speaker highlighted that for companies from these countries, the most effective way to enter the Ukrainian market is through partnership models that combine their engineering, agrotechnology, energy, or management expertise with local operational experience. She also stressed the importance of adhering to transparency and compliance standards, which are critical for donor-funded projects and international financial institutions, and directly influence the bankability and scalability of initiatives.
International speakers at the forum: multisectoral dialogue on recovery
During the forum, key topics were addressed, including Ukraine’s stability, international law enforcement cooperation, and the development of defence ecosystems. Vadym Tabakera, Head of the Economic Policy Department of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, and Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia and New Zealand, spoke at the open plenary session, highlighting Ukraine’s resilience amid ongoing challenges.
Keynote speaker, journalist, and author Thomas Mutch shared his perspectives on russia’s crimes and Ukraine’s resilience. Other speakers included Yevhen Panchenko from the National Police of Ukraine, who discussed international law enforcement cooperation, and Myroslav Popovych from the Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry, who presented Ukraine’s defence ecosystems. The forum also addressed topics such as cyber threats, investment opportunities, and post-war recovery.
BDO in Ukraine would like to express its sincere gratitude to the forum organisers — the New Zealand–Ukraine Business Association, the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO), and partners from Australia and New Zealand — for creating a highly professional platform for dialogue, practical cooperation, and the development of joint initiatives for Ukraine’s recovery. Thanks to their efforts, the Australia–New Zealand–Ukraine Cooperation Forum has become a key meeting point for international businesses and Ukrainian partners in building a sustainable, modern economy.
We continue to strengthen our cooperation with international partners and support foreign companies in developing effective strategies for entering the Ukrainian market. We invite businesses from Australia and New Zealand to explore further collaboration and leverage our analytical resources and practical tools for informed investment decisions. If your company is considering opportunities in Ukraine, please get in touch with us — our experts are ready to provide support and practical guidance for successful operations in the Ukrainian market. Together, we can accelerate Ukraine’s recovery and create new opportunities for sustainable economic development. Contact us at BDO in Ukraine regarding partnership opportunities.
