Cities, Trust, and Leadership: Aspen Institute Kyiv Community Members Join Bloomberg CityLab 2026

Yuliya Tychkivska, Executive Director of Aspen Institute Kyiv, Institute member Adam Kharlampovych, and Aspen Institute Kyiv Fellows Iryna Ozymok, Olha Balytska, Petro Obukhov, and Anhelina Osadcha took part in Bloomberg CityLab 2026 in Madrid. Co-hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Aspen Institute, CityLab is one of the world’s leading gatherings dedicated to the future of cities.

This year’s agenda focused on some of the most pressing challenges shaping urban development today, including the impact of artificial intelligence on local economies and labor markets, the global affordable housing crisis, and new approaches city leaders are taking to rebuild public trust in increasingly polarized societies.

The participation of Aspen Institute Kyiv’s community members provided an opportunity to contribute to a global conversation alongside mayors, policymakers, urban practitioners, innovators, and creative leaders from around the world. Such international exchanges foster new partnerships, encourage the sharing of ideas and experience, and help bring fresh perspectives to Ukraine while strengthening the presence of Ukrainian leadership in global dialogue.

As part of the program, participants also joined an international Aspen seminar built around the works of Gabriel García Márquez and Javier Gomá, exploring the enduring role of values, responsibility, and leadership in today’s world.

“Bloomberg CityLab is much more than a conference about cities—it’s a place where the vision for the future is shaped. It brings together conversations on the global trends driving urban development, and it is essential to demonstrate that Ukraine has unique expertise to offer: resilience, crisis management, rapid decision-making, and the ability to restore life even during war. Our presence there helps ensure that Ukraine remains visible in the global conversation.

I also deeply valued the opportunity to participate in the international Aspen seminar, where, through the works of Gabriel García Márquez and Javier Gomá, we reaffirmed the importance of values and responsible leadership that transcends generations and borders,” said Aspen Institute Kyiv Fellow Iryna Ozymok.