Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 21 February (BelTA) - When achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, Belarus pays great attention to the securing and protection of the rights of children, Belarus’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkiunas told BelTA during the presentation of the UNICEF’s report Progress for Every Child in the Sustainable Development Goals Era held in Minsk during the regional forum of national SDG coordinators.

Andrei Dapkiunas underlined that the presentation of this report is a landmark, symbolic event not only for Belarus but for all countries participating in the regional forum of national SDG coordinators in Minsk. He expressed gratitude to UNICEF, longtime partner of Belarus, for playing an important role in the ensuring and protection of the rights of children at the regional and global levels.

“Today's presentation attests to the fruitful work of UNICEF in the region in support of the policy in the interests of children,” said Andrei Dapkiunas. “Care of children should be the basis in the work on achieving economic and social sustainability. Children should have a priority right to our attention and resources," he added

According to the deputy minister, the funds allocated to improving the nutrition, health, education, social environment of a child is an investment in the future human capital of each nation and each state.

“Belarus has always viewed the interests of children as a priority of its state policy. The country creates necessary conditions for the children to grow up healthy, happy and well-educated so that their talents could be timely discovered and supported, and any problems be resolved in a timely and responsible manner,” said Andrei Dapkiunas.

In his words, only joint efforts of the countries of the region, governments and bodies of the UN system with the support of citizens and partners from each sector will help build a world in which every child can learn and grow, and participate in the life of the society. “Only together we can provide a better future for all children,” said Belarus’ deputy minister of foreign affairs.