Ukrainian-Israeli municipal cooperation

Urban security, smart city, transport and energy infrastructure of tomorrow, emergency management - these topics were at the center of the international “MuniWorld-2019” Municipal Exhibition, which took place on February 26-28, 2019 at the Tel Aviv Exhibition Center.

The Ukrainian delegation, consisting of the leadership of 15 Ukrainian cities, headed by the Chairman of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, Kyiv Mayor V. Klitschko, became acquainted with the latest achievements in the field of city safety management, emergency response, introduction of new electronic services for citizens etc.

Within the framework of this great international event, the Ukrainian-Israeli Municipal Summit was held. It were discussed the issues of cooperation between the two countries at the municipal level, attraction of investments into the city infrastructure, exchange of experience, intensification of twin relations. The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to the State of Israel H.Nadolenko addressed the participants of the summit with a welcoming speech.

Kyiv-Jerusalem

The Document on twinning, friendship and cooperation between the cities of Kiev (Ukraine) and Jerusalem (Israel) was signed in 2000.As a result of a working visit to Israel of representatives of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA) in March 2007, cooperation between the municipalities of both cities are carried out in the areas of education and science, culture and arts, sports. In particular, an agreement was reached to renew the treaty on cooperation between the Directorate of Education and Science of KCSA and education departments in Israeli cities, which provides for the development of mutually beneficial relations between the institutions of education and educational community organizations; sharing of experiences in the field of innovative educational technologies; creation of a system for monitoring the quality of education in accordance with international standards; exchange of students with a view to joint participation in projects, competitions, thematic programs, sports events and excursions; training of pedagogical and scientific-pedagogical personnel to improve their skills and master conversational practice, holding joint conferences, seminars, workshops, language courses; participation of creative teams of two cities in theater, cinema and concert festivals; partnership in the spheres of physical culture and sports, exchanges and exhibitions, cooperation in the museum activity.

Odessa-Haifa

The Agreement on the Establishment of sisterhood and partnership relations was signed on Sept. 13, 1992.As a part of the municipal cooperation for the years of 2008-2009 an exhibition of cartoon artists of Haifa, Zvi Roger’s photographic exhibition «Modern Haifa», an exhibition «Odessa. Beginning of the Twentieth Century», prepared by the City Hall of Odessa were held in Odessa and Haifa respectively; the exchange of sports teams to participate in the traditional competitions in judo, conducted by the sport departments of the municipalities, took place; the Odessa delegations visited Haifa to participate in the celebration of 75 - Anniversary of the city Rotary Club of Haifa and in the International Conference of Sister Cities in Jerusalem, the Haifa delegation headed by Mayor J. Yahav was in Odessa to discuss issues concerning the further development of amicable relations between two cities, particularly in the sphere of tourism, cooperation in the issue of opening research centers in high technology. There is substantial Odessa-Haifa cooperation in the field of education (organization of mutual exchange of teachers' and children's groups to get acquainted with the culture, traditions, history of population inhabiting the cities). Currently, the secondary school № 94 with in-depth study of Hebrew, a private school «Or Sameach» and the Israeli Cultural Center function in Odessa.

Kharkiv-Rishon Lezion

Relations between Kharkiv and Rishon Lezion were established in 2006. On August 23, 2007 during a visit of Rishon Lezion Municipality delegation to Ukraine a protocol of intentions on cooperation between the two cities was signed.Since then, the cooperation has been developed in such areas as health (continuing negotiations to Israeli experts advise Kharkiv gynecology and cardiology clinics); сulture (co-operation and exchanges of veterans' organizations), economics (involvement of Israeli investment and increase of foreign trade between enterprises of Kharkov and Israel), transportation (the resumption of air traffic on the route «Kharkiv - Tel Aviv»). The Rishon Lezion delegation took part in n the First International tourist exhibition-presentation «Kharkiv: partnership in tourism», organized with the support of the Kharkiv City Council. Representatives of the Israeli companies «CELLOPARK» and «ISRAPARK» (construction and operation of parking lots, city of Rishon Lezion) participated in the scientific-practical seminar «Investing in Ukraine: Present and Prospects», held in Kharkiv within the framework of the International investment forum.

Chernivtsi-Nazareth Illit

The friendly agreement between the city of Chernivtsi and the city of Nazareth Illit was signed on November 11, 1997. The purpose of this agreement is determined as the deepening of direct ties between the inhabitants of cities, economic development and trade between the two cities, promoting the mutual exchanges in the fields of science and technology, education and culture.As a part of the municipal cooperation, the exchange of the cities’ delegations is carried out on a regular basis. In particular, the delegation from Nazareth Illit visited Ukraine to participate in the celebration of the 600-anniversary of the first written mention of Chernivtsi, as well as within the international project «The peoples of the world write the Bible in their mother tongue». In turn, the Chernivtsi delegation took part in celebrations of the 50-year anniversary of the founding of the city of Nazareth Illit.

Chernihiv-Petah-Tikva

The Agreement between the cities of Chernihiv and Petah-Tikva on establishment of cooperation in various fields of urban activities was signed on May 14, 2010 during the visit of Chernihiv City Council delegation to Israel.The Agreement provides for the development of friendly relations in the spheres of economy, energy, commerce, business, science, technology, culture, health protection, sport, tourism, ecology on a basis of mutually beneficial collaboration. In particular, the mutual activity is planned in the fields of preparing and conducting of bilateral seminars, symposia, conferences, exhibitions and fairs; exchange of delegations of officials, businesspeople, public organizations, students; promotion of direct contacts between theatres, museums and other cultural associations and funds.

Cherkassy-Petah-Tikva

The Agreement on cooperation between the cities of Cherkassy (Ukraine) and Petah-Tikva (Israel) was signed on April 16, 2010 during the visit of Cherkassy City Council delegation to Israel with the purpose of development of cultural and economic relations, strengthening of friendly cooperation and establishment of the mutual understanding between the two cities communities.In the framework of the municipal cooperation, it is provided for carrying out a number of joint events and projects in spheres of economy, energy, commerce, business, science, technology, culture, health protection, sport, tourism, ecology. In particular, practical implementation of the Israeli technologies for the improvement of the water supply in Cherkassy is one of the first projects to be realized in near future.

On March 12, 2008 during the international conference «Sister Cities and Municipal Organizations», which took place in Jerusalem, an Agreement on cooperation between the Association of Ukrainian Cities and the Union of Local Authorities of Israel was signed. The documents provides for this bodies interaction in further establishment of friendly and partner relations between cities of Ukraine and Israel.