On July 11, 2025, a forum organized by MC-Bauchemie was held in Kyiv.
It brought together experts in the production, design, testing, and certification of concrete and reinforced concrete products, as well as representatives of other interested organizations: large contractors, manufacturers of cement, crushed stone, laboratory equipment; consulting companies, and even the German-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The program was packed, and the discussions were focused and insightful, revolving around the adaptation of European standards, the durability of structures, and the introduction of the latest technologies in Ukraine. The event was opened by Artem Pryimachenko, Director of the Ukrainian branch of MC-Bauchemie, who emphasized the importance of synchronizing Ukrainian standards with European norms—not only as a step towards harmonization, but also as a tool for improving the quality and durability of infrastructure facilities.
One of the key topics of the forum was the conformity assessment of concrete products in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On the Provision of Construction Products on the Market,” which implements the provisions of European Regulation 305 and lays the foundation for the free movement of construction products on the market. Lyudmila Kripka, Executive Director of the Ukrcement Association, spoke on this topic. In her presentation, she shared the cement industry’s experience in implementing EN standards and preparing manufacturer’s declarations. Lyudmila outlined in detail the challenges faced by Ukrainian manufacturers in adapting to the requirements of the Regulation, in particular regarding labeling, conformity assessment, and the implementation of a system for assessing the technical characteristics of products.
Lyudmila Kripka paid special attention to the targeted use of different classes of cement according to EN in road construction, namely the introduction of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) technology in Ukraine.
During the forum, participants had the opportunity to delve into technical aspects:
All these issues are critical in post-war reconstruction, where reliability, durability, and compliance with modern requirements are paramount.
The final chord was a panel discussion that brought together leading industry experts. They discussed pressing issues facing concrete product manufacturers, including:
During the discussion, it was repeatedly stated that the reconstruction of Ukraine is not only a question of materials, but also of a systematic approach to standardization, conformity assessment, and technical support.
The forum clearly demonstrated that the Ukrainian industry is ready for change, but needs support in terms of standardization, training, and systematic interaction with government agencies.
MC-Forum 2025 was yet another confirmation that Ukraine’s cement and concrete industry is not only flexible to innovation but also active in European integration processes. Thanks to players such as the Ukrcement Association, MC-Bauchemie, and specialists with technical backgrounds, the sectoral transition to European standards is taking place systematically, with an understanding of all the technical nuances.
A group of students from a children’s and youth sports school went to an international sports camp in the Republic of Serbia. According to the Beryslav District Military Administration, 14 children aged 10 to 15, as well as three coaches, took part in the trip. The program includes training sessions, master classes, and cultural exchange with Serbian athletes.
The project is being implemented with the support of Save the Children, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, and in partnership with Serbian sports organizations. The goal is to promote health, sports integration, and psychological support for children.
The organizers emphasize that this is not the first such initiative and expressed hope for further development of partnerships, including possible return visits by Serbian athletes to Ukraine after the situation stabilizes.
The Beryslav administration and school management express their gratitude to:
The Ukrainian Embassy in Serbia for its diplomatic assistance;
The Save the Children fund for its support;
The Serbian host side for its warm welcome and care.
“Such initiatives give children not only sports, but also faith in the future,” the administration noted.
Ukrposhta JSC (Kiev) on July 17 announced a tender for services of compulsory insurance of civil liability of owners of motor vehicles (OSAGO).
As reported in the electronic public procurement system “Prozorro”, the expected cost of the service -13.246 million UAH. Documents are accepted until August 17.
The UK government intends to lower the age threshold for participation in elections to 16 years, Reuters reports citing sources in the ruling circles. According to the information, the initiative is part of a large-scale reform aimed at modernizing British democracy and increasing the participation of young people in political life. The legislative changes are due to be introduced in the coming months and will cover both parliamentary and local elections.
“Many young people aged 16-17 are already working, paying taxes, able to join the army and participating in public life. Their voice deserves to be heard at the elections,” said representatives of the initiative group.
Currently in the UK, the right to vote is from the age of 18. However, Scotland and Wales already have provisions allowing people to vote in local government elections from the age of 16.
Experts estimate that the adoption of such changes on a national level could affect hundreds of thousands of young voters. Opponents of the initiative have expressed concern about how mature political decisions can be at such an early age, but recent polls show that more than 60% of respondents aged 16-18 believe it is important to have the right to vote.
The Verkhovna Rada, at the suggestion of newly appointed Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, approved the new lineup of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
The appointment of government members was voted on at a plenary session on Thursday, which was held as a package (except for the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, whose candidates are nominated by the president), with 253 MPs voting in favor.
The online broadcast of the Ukrainian parliament session on YouTube is being conducted by MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak (Voice faction).
In particular, Mykhailo Fedorov was promoted to First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Digital Transformation (previously Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology – Minister of Digital Transformation).
The new Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration is former Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka.
The head of the large combined Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture is now Oleksiy Sobolev, former first deputy minister of economy of Ukraine (previously, the position of minister of economy was held by Svyrydenko, minister of environmental protection by Svitlana Grynychuk, and minister of agrarian policy by Vitaliy Koval). – Vitaliy Koval).
Another new official is former First Deputy Minister of Finance Denys Ulyutin, who heads the merged Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine (previously, the position of Minister of Social Policy was held by Oksana Zholnovich, and Minister of National Unity – Oleksiy Chernyshov).
There are also several officials who remained in the new Cabinet but in new positions, including Herman Galushchenko, who became Minister of Justice (previously Minister of Energy), and Svitlana Grinchuk, who became Minister of Energy (previously Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources).
In addition, Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery, Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksiy Kuleba, Minister of Youth and Sports Matviy Bedny, Minister for Veterans Affairs Nataliya Kalmykova, Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi, Minister of Health Viktor Lyashko, and Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko retained their positions from the previous government.
In addition, on Thursday, Denys Shmyhal is to be appointed Minister of Defense, who will also oversee strategic industries (he previously held the post of Prime Minister), and Andriy Sybiga is to be reappointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.
At the same time, the Rada did not appoint a new Minister of Culture today because, as previously stated by the head of the ruling Servant of the People faction, Davyd Arakhamia, consultations on candidates are still ongoing.
Thus, the following positions in the new government were not filled: former Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine – Minister of Justice of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna (the president appointed her as the special representative of the president of Ukraine for the development of cooperation with the US, while her candidacy for the post of ambassador to the US is being agreed upon) former Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Unity of Ukraine Oleksiy Chernyshov, former Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers Oleg Nemchinov, former Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovich, former Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitaliy Koval (may return to the post of head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine), former Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Mykola Tochitsky (may become Ukraine’s permanent representative to the Council of Europe), former Minister of Strategic Industries German Smetanin (will head Ukroboronprom) and former Minister of Defense of
Ukraine Rustem Umerov (is being considered for appointment as Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council).
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has stated that the government under her leadership is setting a course for military, economic, and social self-sufficiency.
“It is a great honor for me to head the Ukrainian government today. Our government is setting a course for self-sufficiency: military, economic, and social. My main goal is real positive results that every Ukrainian will feel in their lives. The war gives us no right to delay. We must act quickly and decisively. Our priority steps in the first six months are to provide the army with high-quality equipment, increase our own weapons production, and improve the technological capabilities of the military,” Svyrydenko wrote on Facebook after her appointment.
She added that the government will make every effort to support Ukrainian entrepreneurs, in particular, comprehensive deregulation, stopping unauthorized pressure on business, accelerating large-scale privatization, and further implementing effective support mechanisms are needed.
“We have already begun work on optimizing the state apparatus and are moving towards a full audit of expenditures with the aim of reducing them. No political loyalty, only figures and results,” she stressed.
