Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 23 October (BelTA) - Belarus is a champion of cooperation and initiatives at the United Nations, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus Sanaka Samarasinha said at the official ceremony to open the exhibition dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the UN and Belarus’ participation in the organization, BelTA has learned.

This is your celebration too because Belarus was one of the founding members of the United Nations. The photo exhibition speaks for itself, telling about the history of the development and the activities of the United Nations, Sanaka Samarasinha noted. According to him, the exhibition shows how much Belarus has done for the international community at the UN, and how much other UN members have done for Belarus. The important part is the exhibition of the finalists of the national competition of children's drawings "Through Children's Eyes". “We see the art created by children. It is very important to take into account their vision of the world, because children draw the world they want to live in. The sustainable development goals elaborated by the UN member states provide for a peaceful and stable future,” said Sanaka Samarasinha.

Belarus has done a lot in cooperation with the United Nations. It is an active representative of the multilateral diplomacy, various initiatives, including on combating trafficking in human beings and minimizing the impact of the Chernobyl disaster. Belarus is actively involved in shaping the future because Belarusian initiatives will be reflected in the sustainable development,” said Sanaka Samarasinha.

The planting of the Tree of Peace and Sustainable Development with the participation of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko that took place in the Loshitsa Park today was an important event, Sanaka Samarasinha believes. It was like a mirror event to plant the Tree of Peace and Unity at the UN headquarters in New York.

The UN representative is confident that peace and security are not possible without sustainable development and dialogue. It is very important that this dialogue should involve all people, including persons with disabilities, the HIV-infected, victims of human trafficking. "It is very important that people maintain a dialogue aimed at strengthening peace, stability and development," said Sanaka Samarasinha.