Ukraine and France Strengthen Partnership in Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development
Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine (SAEE), Hanna Zamazieieva, held a working meeting with representatives of the AFD Group (Agence Française de Développement) — project manager Yara Le Corff and international technical expert on European integration and recovery, Jérôme Betton de Cèze.
The meeting focused on expanding cooperation between AFD and the Ukraine Decarbonization Fund.
“It is important for us to study and adapt AFD’s experience, as the agency’s model has a strong multiplier effect: France’s annual budget financing of €2 billion allows it to mobilize up to €12–13 billion through market borrowings under state guarantees, as well as an additional €12 billion through co-financing from public and private partners,” emphasized Hanna Zamazieieva.
The meeting was also attended by First Deputy Head of SAEE Mariia Malaia, Chair of the Ukraine Decarbonization Fund Olesia Mishchenko, and Head of the SAEE International Cooperation and Communications Department Andrii Senchenko.
The Ukrainian side presented key SAEE initiatives, particularly regulatory approaches and energy efficiency requirements for buildings. Both sides agreed to continue exchanging experience and technical materials, to develop pilot projects, and to jointly design financial instruments that incorporate both European standards and Ukrainian realities.
The parties also discussed the reconstruction project for hospitals in Odesa — a key initiative being implemented with the support of AFD. The Head of SAEE highlighted that the project aims to create a modern medical infrastructure aligned with principles of energy efficiency, climate neutrality, innovation, and social focus. Thanks to the involvement of the European Commission, the project integrates payment guarantees, helping reduce investment risks.
Overall, AFD allocates around €24 billion annually to support sustainable development projects, climate solutions, and infrastructure modernization across dozens of countries. This scale and structured approach serve as a model for the Ukraine Decarbonization Fund, which aims to transform budgetary resources into robust investment programs involving international financial institutions, donors, and private capital.
“We thank our French partners for their trust in Ukraine and their readiness to work together. Through our joint efforts, we are creating innovative, energy-efficient infrastructure that meets today’s challenges and the needs of Ukrainians,” concluded Hanna Zamazieieva.
