Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 21 February (BelTA) - Contacts, communication, trust and solidarity among the peoples are the basis for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, Marianna Shchetkina, Deputy Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, national SDG coordinator, told a press conference of the the regional forum of national SDG coordinators in Minsk, BelTA has learned.

“All 17 sustainable development goals are universal, but we cannot achieve them on our own. It is important that each of us participates in this work. We need the partnership between the states, branches of government, civil society, business and good-neighborly relations based on mutual understanding, respect and support,” Marianna Shchetkina said.

Belarus has already built the national architecture of the work to achieve the SDGs and pays special attention to the parliamentary component and civil society, she said. “But I would like to emphasize that the work in a single country is not enough. Of course, we all take care of our home. But there is a common home – the Earth. The safety of this home depends on every state. Therefore, contacts, communication, partnership, solidarity and trust between the peoples are the basis for achieving the goals,” Marianna Shchetkina said.

She also thanked UN Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed for accepting the invitation to attend the forum. “It is important to hear firsthand the views of the United Nations is. It plays the role of a uniting center, coordinating the activities of the states,” said Marianna Shchetkina.

Minsk is hosting the regional forum of national SDG coordinators. The forum has gathered delegations from more than 40 countries. Top-ranking officials, representatives of international organizations are expected to participate in the forum. Participants of the forum are expected to share the best practices in achieving the SDGs, to discuss the problems in fulfilling the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Key proposals and ideas articulated during the event will be reflected in the report by the chair at the closing session of the conference. There are plans to present these results at the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region to be held in Geneva on 1-2 March.