NSDC Secretary took part in the meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine

On Tuesday, 20 August 2024, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy chaired a meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine in Kropyvnytskyi.

Speaking during the panel discussion "State of readiness of territorial communities for the sustainable heating season 2024-2025", Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Lytvynenko noted that the government, regions and communities should become a single mechanism to achieve a common goal - energy sustainability.

In his speech, the Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council also focused on the need to intensify efforts to prepare for the heating season in a timely manner. In particular, he noted that the situation in the energy system remains difficult due to significant damage to energy facilities as a result of massive enemy attacks. In addition, the enemy continues to attack not only traditional generation but also renewable energy facilities.

The NSDC Secretary reminded that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had instructed communities to build 1 GW of distributed generation capacity by winter, which would become a unified solution for territorial communities and ensure the resilience of critical infrastructure and social facilities.

"Distributed generation is an element of Ukraine's integrated energy system, where all power plants must operate in sync. Its creation is the responsibility of communities and regions", - said Lytvynenko.

The NSDC Secretary added that communities should have a reserve of emergency equipment, spare parts, fuel, they need to prepare invincibility points, conduct training for coordinated actions in the event of a possible blackout, etc.

"I underline that creating distributed generation and strengthening community resilience is a matter of survival. We have to provide living conditions in the rear to support our defenders on the front line’, - emphasised Lytvynenko.

The event was also attended by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, members of the Government and heads of regional administrations. Traditionally, representatives of diplomatic missions, embassies, and heads of local and regional authorities in Europe joined the Congress meetings online.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

More photos HERE.