Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 13 September (BelTA) – The support for family and family values should pervade all programs of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Charge d’Affaires of Belarus to the UN Irina Velichko said during the second regular session of the UNICEF Executive Board at the UN headquarters in New York on 12 September, BelTA learned from the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Irina Velichko noted the importance of the UNICEF activities in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The support for family and family values should pervade all the fund’s programs to protect children rights and interests, she said.

The Belarusian diplomat made several comments and proposals on the draft Strategic Plan. She commended the fund’s focus on close and constructive cooperation with the governments of the recipient countries to provide them with assistance in reaching the SDGs. The head of the Belarusian delegation emphasized the need to combat children trafficking including through the internet which takes a special place in the life of the younger generation.

The Charge d’Affaires supported the inclusion of the protection of the rights and interests of children with disabilities in the Strategic Plan as one of the UNICEF activities.

The session of the UNICEF Executive Board which closes on 15 September is expected to adopt the UNICEF Strategic Plan for 2018-2021. In 2017 Belarus is the Deputy President of the Bureau of the UNICEF Executive Board.