Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 15 July (BelTA) - Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Anthony Lake commended the constructive and active work of Belarus as a member of the UNICEF Executive Board as he met with Belarus’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Valentin Rybakov in New York on 14 July, BelTA learned form the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The parties discussed a number of important issues on the Fund’s activity in middle-income countries. It was noted that UNICEF has a universal mandate, which means that the Fund should protect the rights of all children in all countries.

Valentin Rybakov noted that Belarus is going to hold a series of events to mark the 70th anniversary of the UNICEF, including a national conference “Child Friendly City” and a film festival on children's rights.

The parties agreed to maintain contacts to further promote children's interests within the framework of the implementation of the Agenda 2030.

During the visit to New York, Valentin Rybakov also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajcak to discuss the prospects of cooperation in the framework of the United Nations, and the course of the UN Secretary General selection campaign.