A Reconstruction Law for Ukraine
Summary
While facing one of the most significant acts of military aggression in modern history, Ukraine must not only defend itself but also rebuild its cities, critical infrastructure, and economy. However, the absence of a comprehensive reconstruction law leads to fragmentation and significant risk of corruption. Projects are addressed through ad hoc government resolutions, and this prevents strategic planning, optimal resource allocation, and coordination between central and local authorities.
While ad hoc or experimental approaches and temporary regulatory acts allow for rapid responses to urgent needs, they fail to ensure sustainability and transparency. The lack of defined rules, clear financing mechanisms, and a unified chain of accountability among government agencies exacerbates the risk of inefficient resource use and erodes trust among international partners.
The experiences of countries such as Germany and Japan demonstrate that successful recovery is most easily achieved through comprehensive legislation that establishes clear rules, delineates responsibilities, prioritizes projects, and ensures accountability. Ukraine urgently needs this type of law not only to address current challenges but also to lay the foundation for long-term development.
Recommendations for a Comprehensive Reconstruction Law
- Define key concepts such as “reconstruction project” and “construction object”.
- Establish criteria for project prioritization.
- Develop strategic documents introducing a national reconstruction strategy that integrates local, regional, and sectoral plans to ensure a unified approach.
- Create a central coordinating body by granting the Reconstruction Agency special status to ensure its independence, expanded powers, and oversight of project implementation.
- Integrate Financing Systems to coordinate public, international, and private funding with clear mechanisms for accountability and transparency.
- Enhance Transparency and Digitalization by implementing a digital reconstruction management system covering all stages— from planning to reporting.
A comprehensive reconstruction law is urgently needed to address the existing chaos, reduce risks, and build trust. The law should not only act as a tool to mitigate the war’s consequences but also serve as the backbone of a coordinated and sustainable recovery system capable of functioning even in the midst of ongoing conflict.