An important meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities took place in Kyiv, involving representatives from the President's Office and the government.

Key figures such as Andriy Yermak, Viktor Mykyta, and Denys Uliutin attended the meeting to discuss significant issues concerning children's rights.

The main topic was the commitment to abandon the institutional system for child care. Participants discussed steps to implement a strategy aimed at ensuring every child has the opportunity to grow up in a family environment. Yermak emphasized the importance of prioritizing this strategy at the regional level next year.

«This issue must become a priority for every region. We are ready for decisions that will help create the best conditions for children», – he stated.

Additionally, there was a focus on the necessity of gathering information about children abducted to Russia. The Ministry of Justice has already developed a registry for this purpose.

«We are talking about more than one and a half million children, and we need to know where they are and in what condition», – the Office head said.

Denys Uliutin highlighted the importance of social workers who must protect children and their families and stressed the need for clear actions if a child is left without parental care.

«Our goal is for every child to grow up in a family, not in an institution», – he added.

The head of the President's Office thanked the communities for their active participation in implementing the strategy and called for further work on funding.

The meeting also addressed legislative support for regional policies and government projects to be implemented in communities.

«Our priority is the child in the family. I appreciate the political support for these reforms, which will strengthen our efforts», – concluded Iryna Tuliakova.