Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 21 February (BelTA) - Belarus’ economic performance is encouraging, Tatyana Valovaya, Member of the Board (Minister) for Integration and Macroeconomics of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), told BelTA.

In 2017 all states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) showed positive economic growth. “Belarus’ economic indicators inspire optimism,” Tatyana Valovaya said. The EEC predicts that in the coming years this trend will continue. So will the industrial growth in the EAEU countries.

The minister drew attention to the fact that in 2017 all the EAEU states met the macroeconomic sustainability parameters, including in terms of inflation. Tatyana Valovaya called it a historic achievement, stressing that macroeconomic stability is important for the development of the region as a whole.

She added that Belarus has always been an active proponent of integration. “In those areas where we actively cooperate in the EAEU, we also work to achieve the sustainable development goals. Thus our integration serves as a sorts of driver of the economic growth, bringing us closer to the SDGs,” Tatyana Valovaya is convinced.

Belarus presented its national report on sustainable development to the UN at the high-level political forum in July 2017. Belarus also initiated the preparation of a similar report on the EAEU region. The EEC prepared and presented the document at the UN headquarters. “As a result, the EAEU has become the world’s first integration association to submit such a report,” said Tatiana Valovaya.

The minister met with the Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich in Minsk on 21 February to discuss the role of the EEC in the integration processes.

The Belarusian capital 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. They will discuss problems in fulfilling the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The dialogue is expected to contribute to spreading the best international practices and innovative approaches to reaching the SDGs. It will become a platform for creating a regional network of national SDG coordinators.

The UN member states adopted the 2030 Agenda on 25 September 2015. It includes 17 goals meant to eliminate poverty, fight inequality and injustice, resolve problems relating to climate change. Belarus has already taken a number of important steps to reach the SDGs. The government has adopted a national strategy on sustainable social and economic development till 2030. A national infrastructure for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals has been built. The government works to achieve the SDGs together with the private sector, the civil society, and international organizations.