Tomás Pessanha
Garrigues, Porto

CONFERENCE REPORT

IBA Annual Conference Toronto 2025, Tuesday 4 November

A thought-provoking session titled ‘Rebuilding Ukraine – opportunities for lawyers and their clients’ took place at the recent IBA Annual Conference in Toronto. Lasting over an hour, the session explored how the international legal community can play a pivotal role in shaping Ukraine’s legal system and supporting its sustainable post-war recovery.

The panel brought together a distinguished group of experts with thorough knowledge of Ukraine’s legal, economic and geopolitical landscape. Anna Babych, partner at AEQUO (Kyiv, Ukraine), chaired the session, guiding a discussion enriched by diverse perspectives. The speakers included Daniel Bilak of Kinstellar (Kyiv, Ukraine), who shared insights on governance, legislative reforms and his unique experience as a practitioner; Roman Dubczak from CIBC Capital Markets (Toronto, Canada), offering a financial and investment viewpoint; Zenon Potoczny of the Ukrainian World Congress (Etobicoke, Canada), emphasising global advocacy and diaspora engagement; and Roman Shimonov, CEO of Roshel Defence Solutions (Brampton, Canada), addressing the role of industry and security in the war (and future reconstruction) efforts.

The discussion centred on broader legal challenges and opportunities arising from Ukraine’s current challenges and future reconstruction efforts. The session’s chair has provided the following review:

‘I had the privilege of moderating the panel dedicated to Ukraine’s rebuild. The discussion brought together leading experts who are actively shaping Ukraine’s recovery. We explored how global business and legal communities can contribute to rebuilding a modern, resilient economy while supporting Ukraine’s long-term stability, with particular focus on Canada’s role and businesses in it.

A key focus of the conversation was the creation of a predictable, secure and investor-friendly environment. Panellists emphasised the importance of clear legal frameworks, risk-mitigation tools and international financial guarantees to attract both institutional and private capital. The discussion highlighted successful examples of early investments and underscored the crucial role of public-private partnerships in driving reconstruction at scale. In particular, the business case of Roshel, Canadian producer and importer of armoured vehicles into Ukraine and its business operations in the Ukrainian environment, demonstrated opportunities of the momentum and development of industrial capabilities in Ukraine at a larger scale.

Special attention was given to the rapidly developing defence and security industry, one of the fastest-growing sectors in Ukraine today. We addressed the unique regulatory, compliance and technological considerations involved, as well as the opportunities for international collaboration and innovation. The panel concluded that Ukraine’s recovery is not only about rebuilding infrastructure but also about strengthening strategic industries. Ultimately, Ukraine’s sustainable reconstruction is inseparable from the success of its defence sector, which ensures security, supports innovation, and creates the conditions necessary for the long-term economic growth of Ukraine and the whole Europe along with that trend.’

— Anna Babych, AEQUO, Kyiv

The session emphasised that Ukraine’s recovery is not only a political and economic challenge but also a legal one. Lawyers and law firms worldwide have a unique opportunity to contribute their expertise in creating a robust framework for justice, governance and sustainable development, while facilitating investment and economic development, which will be essential for rebuilding infrastructure and fostering growth.

As the world’s leading organisation for the legal profession, the IBA and its members are uniquely positioned to support Ukraine’s legal transformation. Through knowledge-sharing, capacity-building and advocacy for the rule of law, the IBA can help ensure that Ukraine’s reconstruction is grounded in strong legal principles. By mobilising expertise across jurisdictions and practice areas, IBA members can play a decisive role in shaping a fair, transparent and resilient legal system – one that not only addresses the immediate challenges of post-war recovery but also lays the foundation for long-term stability and growth.

As a Portuguese lawyer attending this session, I left deeply impressed and moved by the strength of the convictions shared by the panellists and inspired by their message of hope. In the midst of very difficult times, the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people stand as a powerful reminder of the role that law – and those who practice it – can play in safeguarding justice and enabling recovery. This discussion was not only about legal frameworks and investment strategies; it was about courage, solidarity and the belief that rebuilding Ukraine is a collective responsibility. For me, it reaffirmed that the international legal community has the moral imperative to help Ukraine transform adversity into a foundation for lasting peace and prosperity.