BRAAC Experts Participated in the Discussion of Pension Reform at Donetsk Press-club Meeting

Kyiv, 14 July 2010 – Current national demographic trends push existing pension system in Ukraine to collapse. The forecast of the demographic situation and its influence on the pension system in Ukraine is not encouraging: the number of contribution payers will decrease by 25% by 2050, whereas the number of pension recipients will increase by 8%. In 2009 the Pension Fund deficit not covered by the insurance part reached 8% of the total planned PFU expenditure, reveals the Report. The Blue Ribbon Analytical and Advisory Centre (BRAAC) – a project funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine – launched today an extensive assessment of demographic trends and their impact on financial sustainability of the pension system of Ukraine. The Report titled “Demographic and Financial Preconditions of the Pension Reform in Ukraine: Forecast – 2050” identifies key challenges arising from the national demographic trends and suggests the most optimal solution, namely to increase the retirement age, to help mitigate the ever growing pressure on Ukraine’s pension system.

Kyiv, 30 June 2010 - Ukraine should reform its transport sector and harmonize the transport legislation with that of the European Union to make full use of the existing transit potential and favourable geographical location, says Report. The Blue Ribbon Analytical and Advisory Centre (BRAAC) – a project funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine – launched today an extensive assessment of what should be done to advance Ukraine’s national transport system. The Report, titled “Ukraine’s Transport Policy and its Harmonization with EU Norms,” identifies a concrete policy agenda to be included in the Government’s reform programme. The Report aims at generating public discussion on the desired reforms in Ukraine’s transport sector, making special emphasis on potential application of EU directives.

Kyiv, 17 June 2010 – The Blue Ribbon Analytical and Advisory Centre, a project funded by EU, co-funded and implemented by UNDP in Ukraine, held the seminar “The experience of organization and running of the mechanism of out-of-court resolution of financial complaints” with participation of Mr. David Thomas, Principal ombudsman and corporate director of the UK Financial Ombudsman Service. This seminar was one of the events implemented by BRAAC to raise capacity of the government bodies in the area of financial markets, services and consumer rights protection.

Kyiv,17 June 2010 - Iryna KOBOUTA, BRAAC International Integration Team leader, reported on “Modern Challenges to the Agrarian Sector Associated with Ukraine’s WTO Accession” following the invitation of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine during the round table “Two Years of Ukraine’s WTO Membership: Implications for Agrarian Sector” within the framework of XXII International Agrarian Exhibition AGRO-2010. The round table was chaired by the Minister of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine Mr. Mykola PRYSIAZHNYUK.

16 June 2010, Kyiv – BRAAC jointly with the State Technological Centre for Protection of Soil Fertility and the association “Land Union of Ukraine” held the round table “Ensuring protection and regeneration of soil fertility: market or state administering?”