June 1, 2015 — New York, New York
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk will address the AJC Global Forum’s World Leaders Plenary on June 8 in Washington, D.C.
“As stalwart supporters of Ukrainian independence, we are delighted and honored that Prime Minister Yatsenyuk, especially during these very challenging times for his country, is making the special trip to join us,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris. Last year, Yatsenyuk delivered from Kiev a passionate video message to the AJC Global Forum amidst his country’s deepening crisis.
“We stand strong and united with Ukraine in its struggle to chart its own democratic destiny and preserve its territorial integrity,” Harris said. Ukraine is the fourth post-Soviet, pro-Western country to lose territory to Russia and Russian-supported forces.
In February, an AJC leadership delegation, led by Harris, met with the prime minister in Kiev, the third such visit to the Ukrainian capital since April 2014. Also, AJC asked Sam Kliger to represent the organization in Kiev for four months last year to show tangible support.
AJC has applauded Prime Minister Yatsenyuk for his government’s determination in the face of overwhelming adversity, and urged Western governments to stand in solidarity and respond with appropriate support. In 1991, AJC became the first Jewish organization outside Ukraine to call on President George H.W. Bush to recognize the country's independence from Moscow. Since then, it has staunchly supported a free and democratic Ukraine.
In addition to Ukraine’s prime minister, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov, German Chancellor Angela Merkel (from Berlin), and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (from Tokyo) will address the World Leaders Plenary.
The AJC Global Forum is the advocacy organization’s signature annual event, bringing together more than 2,000 participants from across the United States and 70 countries around the world. More than 50 representatives of the Ukrainian Jewish community will be attending this year.
