The business associations and representatives of the professional community who have signed this statement consistently support the development of a lobbying framework in Ukraine based on the principles of transparency, ethics, and good faith. We advocate for the implementation of best international practices and the establishment of an open dialogue between business and the state.
At the same time, we express concern regarding the initiative to develop a professional standard “Lobbying Professional (Lobbyist),” which provides for the introduction of new mandatory requirements for lobbying entities, in particular the completion of specialized training and additional qualification procedures, thereby creating artificial barriers to engaging in such activities.
The institution of lobbying in Ukraine is only now taking shape following the adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying” No. 3606-IX (the Law). The Law has established a comprehensive and adequate regulatory framework that complies with international standards (OECD, EU, GRECO) and was developed and adopted, in particular, as part of Ukraine’s commitments in the process of European integration to ensure transparency in the interaction between representatives of public authorities and stakeholders in the context of lawmaking. This approach, borrowed in particular from European Union practice, does not require the introduction of mandatory professional standards or certification for lobbyists, focusing instead on transparency in the use of lobbying tools.
At the same time, it is important to emphasize that current legislation already contains the necessary safeguards and control mechanisms. In particular, the obligation to register in the Transparency Registry ensures that lobbying entities operate within the legal framework, comply with established rules, reporting requirements, and ethical standards provided for by law.
Thus, the key task at this stage is the effective implementation of existing legislation, rather than the introduction of new regulatory instruments, the necessity of which is not provided for by law and which distort the essence of the approaches established by the current law.
Consequently, the professional community does not support the adoption of a “lobbyist” professional standard, as it is inappropriate in the current context of the development of the lobbying institution, is not provided for by the Law, and contradicts the regulatory concept enshrined therein. Moreover, it creates additional barriers for businesses and public associations, carries risks of restricting competition and potentially monopolizing the market, and effectively introduces new regulatory requirements beyond the scope of the law, which contradicts the principles of deregulation.
Given this, the united business community considers the development of a professional standard and the introduction of additional requirements to be unacceptable and inconsistent with the current stage of development of the lobbying market in Ukraine, as well as undermining its foundations.
We remain open to dialogue and cooperation on the formation of an effective, transparent, and balanced lobbying regulatory system in Ukraine, based on the principles of openness, good faith, and equal access.
This statement is open for signature by other lobbying entities that support equal and independent operating conditions in the lobbying sector.
Signatories:
The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) believes that the introduction of non-price criteria for the procurement of medicines at public expense should be as transparent as possible.
“The chamber’s member companies support the need to introduce non-price criteria. The lowest price does not always ensure the proper quality of equipment, as a result of which the patient’s needs are not met, and the state ends up spending more money on the healthcare system. It is also important that the process of introducing and applying non-price criteria be as transparent as possible,” AmCham told Interfax-Ukraine, commenting on the results of a roundtable discussion on “Non-price criteria in public procurement of medical devices: European practices and opportunities for Ukraine,” which the chamber recently held with the participation of international experts and the leadership of Ukrainian regulatory authorities.
AmCham recalled that a revision of Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of February 26, 2014, is planned for 2026, including in terms of price orientation in procurement.
“The main criterion for procurement continues to be the lowest price, but, unfortunately, in practice, this does not ensure timely delivery and delivery in full, quality, and sufficient service life of the medical device. That is why, in particular, EU countries and the UK use non-price criteria or value-oriented procurement,” the chamber notes.
In turn, Oleg Kletz, Director General of the Ministry of Health, noted during the event that “price is an important indicator, but it is not synonymous with quality or uninterrupted supply.”
“We are moving towards a more comprehensive evaluation model, where, along with price, proven quality, ability to fulfill the contract, and clinical effectiveness are taken into account. That is why we are engaged in an open dialogue with the market and the expert community to develop an approach that will ensure competition and transparency and, most importantly, the uninterrupted availability of high-quality free medicines and medical devices for Ukrainians,” he said.
Members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (AmCham Ukraine) have elected a new Board of Directors for 2026, the Chamber announced. The election results were published on the Chamber’s website.
Olena Kosharna (Horizon Capital) was elected Chair of the Board of Directors. The co-chairs are Alexander McWorter (Citi), Arvid Türkner (EBRD, Ukraine and Moldova), and Serhiy Martynchuk (Cisco). Andriy Tsymbal (KPMG) was appointed treasurer, and Serhiy Chorny (Baker McKenzie) was appointed legal advisor.
The Board of Directors also includes Yulia Badritdinova (McDonald’s in Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia), Vasyl Bovdilov (Unilever), Natalia Chervona (Shield AI), Oleg Haidakyn (Carlsberg), Mykhailo Kharenko (Sayenko Kharenko), Olga Kosinova (Procter & Gamble), Taras Panasenko (Aurora multi-market chain), Petro Rondiak (Winner Group), Tetiana Stavytska (Coca-Cola), and Vasile Varvora (Cargill).
The AmCham Ukraine Board of Directors is elected annually in a two-stage process consisting of candidate nomination and electronic voting, with the newly elected members announced at the Chamber’s annual general meeting.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine has been operating since 1992 and brings together more than 600 member companies—American, international, and Ukrainian. According to the Chamber’s reports, member companies have invested more than $50 billion in Ukraine.
On Friday, October 31, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., AmCham Ukraine, together with our member company Sayenko Kharenko, invites you to join us for Halloween Blood Donor Day. Details of the location will be sent to registered participants the day before the event. The venue has shelter.
Join us (costumes are welcome but not required) and be part of a life-saving mission. Every drop of blood can help save up to three lives—after all, real heroes don’t need capes, just courage and compassion.
The event is open to everyone, so invite your friends, colleagues, and loved ones. Choose a convenient time and register in advance via DonorUA.
Let’s make this Halloween terrifyingly good and life-giving!
Follow all rules and recommendations to prepare for blood donation.
Don’t forget to bring your passport and Ukrainian citizen identification code. Citizens of other countries can also be donors if they have a residence permit in Ukraine and an identity document.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to hold a meeting of his team with representatives of the business community on Friday, June 27, to discuss pressing issues.
As it became known to the agency “Interfax-Ukraine”, the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs (UEU), the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (AmCham) are invited to the meeting, but the international business community Board is not invited.
“I, as the founder of the Board and as chairman of the Coalition of Business Communities for the Modernization of Ukraine, was not invited. In a strange way,” said Andriy Dligach, founder of Advanter Group and the Board community, in a comment to the agency.
More than three quarters – 77.8% – of participants in the annual meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (AmCham) expect a ceasefire in 2025.
In a short survey of more than 230 respondents, more than two-thirds – 67.9% – expect US President-elect Donald Trump to visit Kyiv next year, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
Almost two-thirds – 62.7% – expect international flights to resume in 2025.
