On 9 July 2025, the Business Ombudsman Council of Ukraine, in partnership with the Italian Ombudsman, convened a high-level side event in Rome entitled: “The Role of Ombuds Institutions in Ukraine’s Rules-Based Recovery and European Future.”
The event, scheduled just ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference, brought together ombudspersons from national and regional institutions, local government leaders, and international experts to discuss the vital contribution of ombuds institutions in Ukraine’s recovery — particularly in strengthening transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
The discussion focused on the role of ombudspersons as neutral intermediaries who ensure the fair implementation of reforms and serve as trusted bridges between citizens, governments, businesses, and international partners.
The event was moderated by Tetiana Korotka, Deputy Business Ombudsman of Ukraine, who emphasized Ukraine’s readiness to engage in practical international cooperation and attract responsible investment: “Ukraine will become the world’s largest construction site when the war ends. The Business Ombudsman Council is ready to act as a facilitator — removing obstacles between Italian companies and their Ukrainian counterparts to launch reconstruction projects.”
During the event, Roman Waschuk, Business Ombudsman of Ukraine, highlighted the ombudsman’s dual role: “People come to us to ask that the rules be respected. From an economic standpoint, destruction is an opportunity — but only if the rules are clear and upheld. The ombudsman is both a megaphone for citizens and a guarantor of predictable frameworks.”
Marino Fardelli, Ombudsman of the Lazio Region and President of the Italian National Ombudsman Network, stressed the fundamental values guiding reconstruction: “There can be no reconstruction without rights, justice, and transparency. We are facing a historic challenge, and Italian ombudspersons stand ready to support Ukraine through training and exchange of experience.”
Nicolas Pinaud, Deputy Director of the OECD Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs, emphasized: “Public financing alone is not enough — private capital will be essential.”
He underlined that the Ukrainian Business Ombudsman plays a key role in ensuring an investment environment that inspires trust. He noted that the OECD is ready to provide recommendations to improve consultation mechanisms between investors and public authorities, and to reduce corruption risks.
In her special video address, Teresa Anjinho, the European Ombudswoman, emphasized the importance of strengthening ombuds networks across Europe to ensure that the rule of law and protection of rights remain central in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and EU integration.
Speakers throughout the event emphasized that ombuds institutions serve as vital connectors — a bridge between state actors, legal frameworks, investors, entrepreneurs, and civil society.
They stressed that a successful reconstruction requires more than financial resources: it demands clear rules, legal predictability, and the restoration of public trust.
Participants noted that public funding alone will not be sufficient, and that a transparent, rules-based environment is key to attracting responsible private investment.
In this context, ombudspersons were seen as uniquely positioned to mediate disputes, monitor government conduct, and explain the rules to both businesses and citizens, helping to ensure fairness and reduce corruption risks in Ukraine’s recovery process.
The event received coverage in Italian media, including Italpress, which described ombuds institutions as pillars of transparency, fairness, and responsible reconstruction.
Read more: https://www.italpress.com/ucraina-il-difensore-civico-ponte-e-garante-nella-ricostruzione
