Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 15 November (BelTA) - Belarus is planning to hold a national forum on the Sustainable Development Goals involving all stakeholders and new forms of information delivery, Belarus National Coordinator for SDGs Marianna Shchetkina said at the seminar “Raising media awareness about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a means of promoting sustainable development,” in Minsk on 15 November, BelTA has learned.

“We want to hold a national assembly or a forum to discuss the Sustainable Development Goals in January. We will invite representatives of civil society, public authorities and all stakeholders. We want the topic to be clear, comprehensible and interesting for all,” Marianna Shchetkina said

She stressed that public awareness about the SDGs depends on the professionalism of media: “Sustainable development applies to everyone. People listen to you, journalists. You are SDG ambassadors,” she noted.

Innovations in provision of information, expansion of media space through online sources have changed the flow of information, have made complex topics interesting, UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki said. “Media affect the stereotypes, change people's behavior. Just look at TV content. This suggests we should have a responsible attitude to content,” she added.

The seminar is held as part of the project “Support to the National Coordinator on Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals and Strengthening the Role of the Parliament in the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals”, funded by UNDP/UNICEF/UNFPA. The national executive agency of the project is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the national coordinator for SDGs.

The UN member states passed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015. The Agenda includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are a commitment to eradicate poverty, inequality and injustice, prevent climate change. The Agenda 2030 is a comprehensive strategy to improve the quality of life of people, ensure development and consumption without detriment to future generations. All 17 goals are adapted for Belarus as well. The national coordinator for SDGs, the Council for Sustainable Development (which includes representatives from all government agencies), partner and other groups, civil society and international organizations are working on the matter. All the proposals will be reflected in the National Sustainable Development Strategy for the period through 2035. Program documents, legislative acts will also be based on the Agenda 2030.