A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the UNESCO Action Plan “Building a Resilient Scientific Ecosystem in Ukraine”, developed throughout 2024 in close collaboration with more than 60 Ukrainian partners.

This strategic document outlines essential directions for reforming and supporting science in Ukraine amid the ongoing war and in the context of long-term national recovery. The plan identifies concrete actions aimed at:

• Strengthening scientific infrastructure, including research institutions, laboratories, and core facilities;
  
• Supporting early-career researchers through access to international projects, fellowships, and mobility programs;
  
• Expanding international scientific cooperation and embedding Ukrainian research into global initiatives;
  
• Enhancing Ukraine’s integration into the European Research Area, including programs such as Horizon Europe, COST, EIT, and broader European scientific networks.
  

The Action Plan estimates a total funding need of USD 18 million for the years 2025–2026 to implement the main areas of activity, including digital platform upgrades, establishment of centers of excellence, and modernization of research infrastructure.

URIS as a Component of a Resilient Scientific Ecosystem

During the event, the Ukrainian Research Information System (URIS) was specifically highlighted as a key element of Ukraine’s digital science transformation.
URIS was recognized as a vital tool for increasing the transparency, visibility, and coordination of research activities in Ukraine. The system not only provides structured access to information about research institutions, projects, infrastructures, and individual researchers, but also contributes to building a robust digital environment in support of open science policies, integration with European initiatives (such as EOSC), and evidence-based research evaluation and governance.

Analysts noted that the inclusion of URIS in a strategic document of UNESCO's caliber signals international recognition of Ukraine’s efforts to build modern research management tools aligned with European standards and capable of scaling internationally.

Participation in this event marked another important step toward positioning science and innovation as central pillars of Ukraine’s recovery, modernization, and sustainable development.

The State Scientific and Technical Library of Ukraine (SSTL) will continue to actively support initiatives aimed at strengthening the national research ecosystem, expanding international cooperation, and advancing digital transformation in science.

Background: URIS is the national research information system of Ukraine, developed at the initiative of the Ministry of Education and Science and administered by the State Scientific and Technical Library of Ukraine. It maintains national research activity registries and integrates with ORCID, DataCite, OpenAIRE, and other international standards.