Ukrainian municipalities made a powerful impression at the fourth edition of the EU Cities Mission Conference, held in Vilnius from 6–8 May 2025 under the banner “Harnessing City Successes: Advancing Climate Action for 2030.” As Europe pushes toward climate neutrality, Ukraine’s cities - many of them ICLEI Members - are proving they are not only rebuilding but reshaping their urban futures.

Despite the ongoing war, Ukrainian cities are not waiting for peace to plan for sustainability. More than 20 Ukrainian representatives participated in the invitation-only conference, presenting local solutions and future plans for sustainable recovery. ICLEI Members including Rivne, Kalush, Konotop, Vinnytsia, and Mykolaiv were among the most active voices, engaging in peer exchanges, project showcases, and policy discussions alongside European counterparts.

Mykolaiv, represented by Alla Lutska, Director of the city’s Department of Energy, Energy Saving and Innovative Technologies, highlighted how the city is developing a Climate Neutrality Plan under SUN4Ukraine. Lutska’s remarks underlined the city’s focus on resilience - both to military conflict and to climate shocks - and emphasised knowledge sharing as key to success. “This is an opportunity not just for reconstruction, but for transformation,” she said.

The participation of these Ukrainian cities signals a broader shift: municipal governments are not merely responding to crisis but positioning themselves as leaders in the green transition. European cities, through the Mission Platform and ICLEI Europe, reaffirmed their support by offering cooperation and practical tools for joint climate-neutrality planning.

As the conference closed, the message was clear: with support from European partners such as ICLEI, Ukrainian cities are taking meaningful steps to integrate sustainability into their long-term planning.