International Black Sea Security Forum Kicks Off in Odesa
On May 30, the international Black Sea Security Forum was launched in Odesa. This event attracted more than 500 participants from over 20 countries, marking it as the largest geopolitical gathering in southern Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale invasion. Organizers reported this information.
Over two days, Ukrainian lawmakers, diplomats, military personnel, international experts, representatives from Donald Trump's administration, and high-ranking officials from the US, UK, and EU will discuss the future of the Black Sea. Discussions will focus on strategies to counter Russian aggression, support for Ukraine, NATO's role, and challenges faced by allies in the region. The forum was inaugurated by the head of the event, Ukrainian MP and Chair of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons Oleksii Honcharenko.
The organizers envision the Black Sea Security Forum as an annual platform where leaders and experts from around the globe will seek answers to key security challenges in the Black Sea region, which has become a focal point of global confrontation.
The main international partner and sponsor of the forum was British philanthropist and diplomat Lord Michael Ashcroft. In his speech, he emphasized Odesa's global significance as a strategic point on the new security map. Lord Ashcroft stated that Odesa currently stands on the front line, serving as Ukraine's main maritime gateway, crucial for the entire world, and what transpires here carries global implications. He also highlighted that Ukraine is already rewriting the rules of naval warfare with remarkable innovation.
Participants were also welcomed by PACE President Theodoros Russopoulos and Olympic medalist Elina Svitolina. Other significant partners and sponsors included the German political foundation Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the humanitarian organization Hepatica, and the Ukrainian platform Trypillian, which operates at the intersection of security, culture, and strategic communications.
