Brussels Forum Session: Opening Dinner: A Shared Cause, A Meal Shared—Voices from the Region

Andrii Zhupanyn is a member of the Ukrainian Parliament from President Zelenskyy’s “Servant of the People” party and chairman of the parliament’s Subcommittee on Natural Gas. Before joining Ukraine’s legislative body, Zhupanyn spent nine years working as an attorney in prominent Ukrainian law firms, most recently as a senior associate at DLA Piper Ukraine.  Zhupanyn holds an LL.M. degree from Leiden University and is currently studying part-time in the Executive MBA program at London Business School. 

Zhupanyn is a key figure in the development of Ukraine’s energy policy. As chairman of the parliamentary subcommittee on natural gas, he was the main author and key presenter of the draft law on unbundling the Ukrainian gas transportation system from Naftogas, Ukraine’s largest gas extraction company, , and incorporation of an independent gas transmission system operator (TSO). Zhupanyn also prepared and presented key changes to the legislation allowing the production of biomethane (that is, renewable natural gas) in Ukraine. 

Currently Zhupanyn is working on the draft law that is aimed at securing a green transition of Ukraine’s energy sector. He also chairs a multipartisan group of Ukrainian members of parliament called “United for Recovery”. 

Ināra Mūrniece has served as the defense minister of the Republic of Latvia since December 14, 2022. Prior to that, she was the speaker of the Saeima—the unicameral Latvian parliament—beginning in 2014. As a member of parliament since 2011, she has chaired the Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs and the National Security Committee, and was a member of the National Upbringing Committee and the Social Cohesion Committee. She has also served as a member of National Security Council of Latvia. Mūrniece began her career as a journalist at Latvia’s largest daily newspaper, Latvijas Avīze, where she worked predominantly on issues of national defense and security. She holds a bachelor’s degree in translation from the School of Economics and Culture and a qualification from the University of Latvia.

Brussels Forum Session: Opening Dinner: A Shared Cause, A Meal Shared—Voices from the Region

Daria Chekalova is deputy head of Divchata-NGO Girls and has worked in the sphere of women’s, girls’, and children’s rights for four years. Her previous experience includes managing campaigns to raise awareness of key issues and supporting projects that aim to improve children’s digital literacy and prevent sexual abuse online. 

At NGO Girls, Chekalova leads several humanitarian response projects and is responsible for grantwriting, business development, and partnership communications. She is passionate about developing the NGO's capacity and visibility, along with that of other local grassroots organizations, and advocating for women and children. 

Chekalova obtained a bachelor's degree in linguistics from the Kyiv National Linguistics University and a master's degree in international communications from the Kyiv Shevchenko National University.