Members of international coalition for science, research and innovation in Ukraine sign Gdansk declaration

On 26 June, the first-ever High-level Steering Committee of the International Coalition for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine signed the Gdansk Declaration during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Poland.

The Declaration outlines a shared ambition to support Ukraine in increasing the research and development investment to 3% of the GDP following the end of Russia's full-scale war of aggression. This is in line with the European Research Area target. It also identifies a number of activities that Coalition members can implement to achieve this objective. The Declaration further provides a strategic framework for the Coalition's work to support Ukraine's modern and sustainable social and economic recovery.

Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, said:

"With the Gdansk Declaration, we have taken another step forward in making science, research and innovation pillars of Ukraine's recovery. It sets out a strategic plan guided by three priorities: strengthening R&I, reforming R&I, and leveraging R&I for reconstruction. I welcome in particular the clear determination to integrate Ukraine in the European Research Area."

The Committee was co-chaired by Commissioner Zaharieva and Tetyana Berezhna, Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy of Ukraine and Minister of Culture of Ukraine. It guided the work of the Coalition and enabled high-level dialogue on science, research and innovation in Ukraine.

The meeting, attended by representatives of 35 member organisations, also marked the official launch of the Communities of Interest under the Coalition. They will address specific science, research and innovation challenges in Ukraine.

Three Communities of Interest are already active, focusing on:

• research equipment donations to Ukraine
• engagement with Ukraine's scientific diaspora and the internationalisation of Ukrainian science
• and the use of research and innovation for local and regional development

Commissioner Zaharieva's broader engagement at the Ukraine Recovery Conference

Prior to participating in the High-level Steering Committee, Commissioner Zaharieva held several bilateral meetings with Ukrainian counterparts. She also participated in a panel on 'Recovery Under Attack: Safeguarding Trust, Media, and Transparency against Russia's Cognitive Warfare'. On this occasion, Commissioner Zaharieva highlighted the importance of countering disinformation as part of Ukraine's recovery process. She underlined that Russia's war did not begin with the invasion of Ukraine itself, but already years before with hybrid warfare and disinformation campaigns, spreading false narratives in Ukraine and the EU.

Background

The International Coalition for Science, Research and Innovation is a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at making science, research and innovation pillars of Ukraine's modern and sustainable recovery, launched by the European Commission, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, UNESCO and the Ministry of Universities and Research of Italy. It was launched in 2025 on the occasion of the Ukraine Recovery Conference, in Rome, Italy. To date, the Coalition consists of 55 member organisations, including governments, non-governmental organisations and international organisations. The intent to implement the Coalition was set out in the Rome Declaration for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine.

The Coalition pursues its aim by offering a platform to engage in dialogue on the urgent needs faced by Ukraine's research and innovation ecosystem and encourage the mobilisation of additional support, coordination and collaboration amongst the members of the Coalition. The Coalition meets at technical level three times between the high-level steering committee.

More information

International Coalition for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine

Ukraine Recovery Conference | URC 2026 - Gdańsk, Poland

Press contact:

EC Spokesperson for Research, Science and Innovation