Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 21 February (BelTA) – Belarus’ starting positions on the SDGs are very good, UN Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed said when talking to the media, BelTA has learned.

"Belarus started off at a good level. You have achieved the Millennium Development Goals. The initiatives undertaken by the country's government is the leadership that makes us happy,” Amina J. Mohammed noted.

She considers it important that every citizen matters when achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In her opinion, economy is at the root of all the issues, including the development of public health, poverty eradication. "We want to create a better world. But that is impossible without the solution of environmental issues,” Amina J. Mohammed noted. According to the UN deputy secretary general, long-term investments are needed to implement work in the above-mentioned areas. “We will hear many ideas on the ways to address the matters,” she said.

According to Amina J. Mohammed, in the present-day conditions it is important for all the states to avoid conflicts and secure decent living conditions for people. “More attention should be paid to the vulnerable,” she said.

The UN deputy secretary general stressed that she saw a lot of good initiatives in Belarus. In her words, the country inspires other states with its ideas to address the issues related to the achievement of the SDGs.