Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 7 December (BelTA) - Prospects for cooperation with the United Nations, including in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, implementing joint projects in local governance and self-governance were discussed at a meeting between Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich and UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki, BelTA has learned.

Being a house of territorial representation, the Council of the Republic pays a lot of attention to local governance and self-governance. The speaker invited Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki to outline additional joint projects in this field. Mikhail Myasnikovich said that Belarus is improving relevant legislation. “We need to make local self-government bodies more self-sufficient. We are working on this,” he said. Belarus is interested in studying the international experience. On 11 December Minsk will host a seminar with experts of the Council of Europe. Cooperation with the United Nations in this area will also be mutually beneficial, Mikhail Myasnikovich said.

The UN agencies are implementing international technical assistance projects in the country. Several more are in the pipeline. Mikhail Myasnikovich stressed that Belarus appreciates this support. He expressed hope that cooperation will continue in the same positive manner.

Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki emphasized the importance of cooperation with the parliament, including on the Sustainable Development Goals. She stressed a high organizational level of work in the area. Belarus has its national SDG coordinator. This post is held by Deputy Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Marianna Shchetkina. There is also a parliamentary working group and a country team on SDGs which comprises representatives of the governmental stakeholders and public organizations. The country is working on its sustainable development strategy through 2035 which is to be discussed at the national SDG forum on 24 January 2019.

Attending the meeting was also Head of the IOM Mission to Belarus Zeynal Hajiyev, UNICEF representative in Belarus Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, and Head of the WHO Country Office in Belarus Batyr Berdyklychev.