Estonia's former minister of Economic Affairs to advise the Ukrainian state agency coordinating reconstruction efforts
The State Agency for Reconstruction and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine has confirmed Tiit Riisalo, Estonia's former minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology, as a member of its expert advisory board.
The board supports the agency through the strategic management of reconstruction processes, programme development and communication with donors.
Tiit Riisalo previously served as the executive director of the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), which coordinates Estonia's reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. He has also worked in the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as an advisor to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Riisalo's election as a member of the advisory board will enable Estonia to contribute to and guide reconstruction efforts in line with good international practices, thereby strengthening Estonia's role in the international donor community and maintaining visibility among major partners.
"The reconstruction of Ukraine is not a project for the future. It is already underway. Right now, we need to ensure that the decisions made are wise, economical and sustainable. Estonia, which has accumulated considerable reform experience over the past decades, has a moral obligation to share this knowledge with Ukraine," Riisalo said during yesterday's meeting with Sergiy Suhomlin, head of Ukraine's Agency for Reconstruction and Development of Infrastructure.
The agency's multi-level advisory system involves high-level international experts to support strategic decision-making.
Six international experts provide strategic assessment and advice on infrastructure projects, ranging from road construction and water management to energy-efficient solutions. The experts make recommendations based on international standards and modern management principles to ensure the targeted use of funds, transparent project management and maximum social impact.
"We are working to ensure that each project is approached in a holistic, inclusive and energy-efficient manner and that Ukraine's budget funds are used in the most rational way," said Suhomlin.
During the day's events, Riisalo also met with Vitalii Bunechko, head of the Zhytomyr military administration, and received an overview of Estonia's activities supporting Ukraine's reconstruction from ESTDEV representatives.
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