On March 16–17, Vienna hosted a series of bilateral meetings and the first session of the Tripartite Industrial Policy Dialogue (TIPD), bringing together Ukraine, Japan, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The Ukrainian delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Vitalii Kindrativ.
The key milestone was the inaugural TIPD meeting, which established an institutional platform for aligning industrial policy, coordinating international support, and launching joint projects aimed at rebuilding and modernizing Ukraine’s industry.
Main topics included the implementation of the Green Industrial Recovery Programme, the development of Ukraine–Japan–UNIDO trilateral cooperation, and the rollout of a flagship project focused on technology transfer and the creation of new businesses with the involvement of Japan’s private sector.
“Ukraine’s goal is not just to rebuild destroyed industry, but to create a modern, competitive, and resilient economy integrated into European and global value chains. Partnership with Japan and UNIDO opens new opportunities for technological modernization, SME development, and innovation,” Kindrativ said.
As part of the visit, on March 16 the Ukrainian delegation held meetings with UNIDO leadership, including Deputy Director General Yuko Yasunaga, as well as representatives responsible for SME development, digital transformation, and regional policy. Discussions focused on boosting SME competitiveness, implementing digital solutions, and developing innovation ecosystems.
Particular attention was paid to cooperation in digitalization and artificial intelligence, as well as to the development of regional industrial clusters and industrial parks as drivers of economic recovery.
During the trilateral discussions on March 17, the parties agreed on key strategic priorities, including industrial modernization, SME development, green transition, digitalization, and the integration of Ukrainian companies into global value chains.
They also identified priority areas for practical cooperation, including:
- development of a circular economy and resource-efficient production;
- adoption of digital technologies and AI in industry;
- improving energy efficiency and expanding renewable energy;
- supporting SMEs through access to technology, financing, and international markets.
The sides also discussed mechanisms to strengthen technology transfer, including partnerships between Ukrainian and Japanese companies, business missions, and the creation of a catalog of technologies available to Ukrainian businesses.
Within the flagship technology transfer project, supported by the Government of Japan, a catalog of 47 selected technological solutions has already been compiled. These could be implemented in Ukraine through joint ventures with Japanese companies.
With a total budget of $188 million, the project does not provide direct funding but instead focuses on technology transfer, launching new production facilities, and integrating Ukrainian enterprises into global supply chains.
The parties also discussed preparations for new joint initiatives, including:
- a project worth around €93 million focused on grant support for businesses and the development of green technologies;
- initiatives aimed at developing industrial clusters and technological partnerships.
Overall, the potential value of new projects currently under consideration exceeds €100 million.
In addition, the sides agreed to expand bilateral technology exchange, including leveraging Ukraine’s expertise in IT and security technologies.
Another important outcome was the agreement on a roadmap for further cooperation, with the next TIPD meetings scheduled for summer 2026 and the end of the year.
The Ukraine–Japan–UNIDO Tripartite Dialogue is envisioned as a long-term platform combining technology, investment, and policy tools, with the potential to become a model for international cooperation in rebuilding and modernizing Ukraine’s industry.
Background
The Tripartite Industrial Policy Dialogue (TIPD) is a new cooperation format between Ukraine, Japan, and UNIDO aimed at coordinating policies, attracting investment, and implementing technologies for Ukraine’s green industrial recovery.
The flagship project supported by Japan focuses on technology transfer and the creation of new businesses in areas such as energy, digital infrastructure, waste processing, water treatment, and industrial technologies.
