Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 19 December (BelTA) – Belarus hopes that UN First Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed will take part in the regional forum of national SDG coordinators due in Minsk in February 2018 in cooperation with the UNDP, Speaker of Belarus’ Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich said when summing up the open hearings in Belarus’ parliament on 19 December. The hearings were dedicated to the partnership between the branches of power as a prerequisite for the successful achievement of the SDGs, BelTA informs.

National SDG coordinators from over 50 countries have been invited to attend the upcoming event, Mikhail Myasnikovich remarked. “We have reached a preliminary agreement that UN First Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed will partake in the forum,” he added. Belarus hopes for a meaningful conversation during the regional forum.

A similar constructive dialogue took place during the parliamentary hearings on 19 December. The participants discussed Belarus’ practices in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals along with the international experience. According to Mikhail Myasnikovich, the parliament will continue working in this field. Belarus hopes that the UN will support its national effort, the speaker stressed.

Draft recommendations of the parliamentary hearings will be updated, taking into account the discussion held in the Council of the Republic on 19 December. The upper house of Belarus’ parliament is expected to adopt them on 20 December. Plans have also been made to publish the materials from the parliamentary hearings. The recommendations worked out on 19 December will lay the basis for Belarus’ further plans to achieve the SDGs, the speaker summarized.