The Week Ahead by KI Insights: What we're watching this week
Editor's note: This article is an on-site version of KI Insights' The Week Ahead newsletter. Sign up here to start your week with an agenda of Ukraine-related events, delivered directly to your inbox every Sunday.
ReBuild Ukraine gathers in Warsaw on Nov. 13-14 to discuss infrastructure, housing, energy, and other reconstruction-related issues. The event will also include an EU-Ukraine Investment Conference, which will look at mobilizing private capital and encouraging EU-Ukraine business partnerships. Expect discussions on ensuring a level playing field and improving engagement with state actors, as well as a mix of concern and optimism over what US President-elect Donald Trump means for rebuilding Ukraine.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) will take place Nov. 11-22 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Nearly 200 countries will aim to boost climate funding (the return of Trump, who previously withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement, will complicate joint action. Meanwhile, scientists warn the 1.5-degree goal is out of reach (it was exceeded throughout half of 2024). Discussions on an “Azeri gas deal”, on hold but liable to be revived, could take place in the background.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting on Nov. 15-16 in Peru will conclude the organization’s week-long summit. Key issues include regional trade, the environment, and security; expect talk on US-China tensions, the Russia-Ukraine war and Trump, as well as preparations for the G20 summit in Brazil (Nov. 18-19). Joe Biden and Xi Jin Ping are both set to travel to both summits.
The race for the US lower chamber, the House, will likely finish this week – Republicans are on track to secure the Presidency, Senate, and House. The current tally (as of early Nov. 10) stands at 213 vs. 202 (218 is needed for a majority). Despite a likely margin of 3-4 votes, Trump will still need to manage the “Freedom Caucus” of radical right/wing House representatives (who previously held up Ukraine support and led to the removal of their own party’s Speaker).
Justice Juan Merchan is expected to rule by Tuesday (Nov. 12) on Trump's pre-election appeal to overturn his conviction (specifically 34 felony counts in the New York case – falsifying business records to conceal hush money to an adult film star). If Justice Merchan rules in Trump's favor, his criminal record could (almost) be cleared. If not, Trump could proceed to sentencing on Nov. 26 (but will likely attempt to further delay or dismiss the case).
Other events and milestones:
- Nov. 12, 15:00 – 17:00 (EET): UCAB and the USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) invite agri exporters to a seminar on “Grain exports: expanding sales channels & new opportunities from Ukraine”. Held at the InterContinental, Geneva or online (free access with registration). Note: Part of the Global Grain Geneva 2024 event.
- Nov. 13, 14:30 – 17:00 (EET): The International Finance Corporation and UCAB invite you to join the “Developing Sustainable Value-Added Grain Processing in Ukraine” seminar, which will be held as part of Global Grain Geneva 2024. Register online.
- Nov. 14 (full day): Legal publication Pravo will hold a full-day conference at the Premier Palace Hotel in Kyiv and online on “Compensation for Damages Caused by the Consequences of War”. Registration here (UAH 4000 offline, free online).
- Nov. 14, 17:00 – 18:00 (EET): The Wilson Center will hold a discussion on “Surviving and Thriving: Ukraine's Economy During and After the War”, featuring Ukraine’s ex-Finance Minister and current EY-Parthenon Turnaround and Restructuring Practice Managing Director Natalie Jaresko and George Kennan Fellow and MP Dmytro Natalukha advisor Artem Gergun. RSVP here (note: technical issues).
About KI Insights:
KI Insights, powered by the Kyiv Independent, provides an in-depth analysis of Ukraine’s political and business environment. Our briefings offer essential insights for analysts, decision-makers, and organizations overseeing investments or operations in Ukraine. Please note that a KI Insights subscription is separate from a Kyiv Independent membership and provides more detailed, expert-level analysis.For more information about our work, visit insights.kyivindependent.com.
Jakub Parusinski
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