The State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine held a working meeting with representatives of the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Ukraine to discuss continued intergovernmental cooperation and identify the next steps towards strengthening the partnership in infrastructure recovery and development.
The meeting was attended by Roman Komendant, Deputy Head of the Agency responsible for digital development, digital transformation and digitalisation, and Iryna Hudyma, Head of the Digital and Innovation Development Department. The UK side was represented by Max Petrokofsky, Head of Recovery, Energy and Development Programmes, together with representatives of the British Embassy working on infrastructure, recovery, energy and public administration.
During the meeting, the participants discussed the Agency’s activities related to preparations for the winter period, the development of road infrastructure and border crossing points, as well as current challenges and key priorities in infrastructure recovery and development.
Particular attention was paid to continued government-to-government cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom. The parties discussed the results of initiatives already implemented and identified areas where British partners could further strengthen their support for the Agency for Restoration.
«The UK appreciates the significant and vital work currently being carried out by the Agency for Restoration, in protecting Ukraine’s energy sites, critical national infrastructure, and delivering Ukrainian reconstruction. This is done in very challenging circumstances of constant Russian attacks. We are proud of our partnership with the Agency, and we will continue to focus support in areas where British expertise, experience and practical solutions can make significant contributions. It is important for us that this cooperation goes beyond individual projects and contributes to the long-term transformation and development of Ukraine’s infrastructure,” said Max Petrokofsky, Head of Recovery at the British Embassy.
One of the key areas of practical cooperation remains the digital transformation of infrastructure. In particular, the FIRE Programme supports the implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodologies, which contribute to greater transparency in project delivery, more efficient use of public funds, improved coordination among all construction stakeholders, reduced risks and better-informed management decisions.
With the support of British partners, the Agency for Restoration has already established the foundations for the systematic use of digital approaches. The Digital Construction Office has been established, the BIM Implementation Plan has been approved, an interagency working group has been formed, and the development of relevant professional competencies within project teams has begun.
Another important initiative is the BIM4PMs programme, aimed at developing practical project management competencies through the use of BIM and building a professional community capable of supporting the digital transformation of Ukraine’s recovery.
A significant practical step has been the implementation of BIM as part of the pilot project for the construction of the terminal at the Yahodyn border crossing point. The experience gained through this project is expected to provide a foundation for scaling up digital approaches to other pilot projects in three additional regions.
“The Agency for Restoration highly values the support of the United Kingdom and is committed to building a long-term strategic partnership. For us, it is important not only to implement specific initiatives, but also to develop systemic solutions that will remain effective beyond the completion of the recovery process,” said Roman Komendant.
An important outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum on the implementation of the Foundations for Infrastructure and Recovery (FIRE) Programme, specifically its component focused on the implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM). The document further strengthens the framework for cooperation between the parties in the digital transformation of the infrastructure sector and the continued adoption of BIM in Ukraine.
Further strengthening of UK support will enable the partnership to move to a new stage — from the implementation of individual initiatives towards a systemic partnership aimed at modernising Ukraine’s infrastructure and establishing new standards for its development.
The BIM implementation project at the Agency for Restoration is being delivered with the support of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, in partnership with Connected Places Catapult (CPC).