The executive committee of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, met in an extraordinary session to discuss the association's continuing response to the military actions ordered by the Russian government in Ukraine. The committee has reviewed the actions taken by UFI since the onset of the attacks, beginning with the initial statement on the first day of the Russian military action, and the subsequent focus on humanitarian assistance.
The committee acknowledged and applauded the work of many UFI members across the region who have provided shelter and support for refugees. From converting venues into refugee shelters to bringing supplies from across Europe, the level of aid and solidarity from businesses and individuals in the industry has been outstanding.
Based on the resolution by the UN General Assembly, the Executive Committee has made the following decisions:
Commenting on the decisions on the executive committee, UFI managing director and CEO Kai Hattendorf states, "I am grateful for our association's leadership, coming from twelve countries/markets from all over the world, to come to this clear response - balancing our association's non-political stance while standing up for humanity. UFI stands for humanity, and therefore we #standwithukraine. At the core, our industry is about people, and UFI is here to connect people. We also understand that we must differentiate between the actions of the Russian leadership and the Russian people. Right now, we must focus on ending the inhumane activities. Right now, we must focus on emergency humanitarian support, to help as many individuals as we can, as an industry. Only then can we use the role of events to help to heal the human, the cultural, and the economical wound, that will persist long after the violence has ended."
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