Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 21 May (BelTA) – Energy is becoming increasingly important in the context of transition to the new period of sustainable development, Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Valentin Rybakov said as he took part in the ministerial dialogue on energy issues at the United Nations headquarters in New York, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Joint efforts of states, business community and other players will be crucial in ensuring availability of environmentally sound energy sources and relevant technologies,” Valentin Rybakov noted.

He expressed his opinion that such an approach will contribute to the successful implementation of the new sustainable development program for the period until 2030, will make an important contribution to solving the global climate change issues and will take into account the interests of economic and social development of all interested states and groups of countries.

The Belarusian diplomat presented the approaches of Belarus to the development of multilateral energy cooperation under the UN auspices. Valentin Rybakov recalled the initiative of Belarus to form a comprehensive UN energy agenda as a single platform to discuss all relevant energy issues with the leading role of the Member States of the Organization.

The ministerial dialogue on energy issues was held for the first time as part of the forum of the UN Secretary-General's initiative Sustainable Energy for All.