Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 29 January (BelTA) – Belarus takes an active part in UN activities, especially in it efforts to combat human trafficking and domestic violence, to protect children’s rights, to alleviate the impact of the Chernobyl disaster, and to bolster international cooperation, UN/UNDP Resident Coordinator in Belarus Sanaka Samarasinha said at the international conference “Strengthening technical cooperation between Belarus and the UN: Results, New Prospects and Opportunities” held in Minsk on 29 January, BelTA has learned.

The UN official expressed gratitude to the Belarusian government for its commitment to the cooperation with the United Nations, both within the country and in the international arena.

“According to the UN human development statistics, Belarus ranks first among the medium-income countries. To make the development process more efficient, it is necessary to take a new approach to the work. This should be a joint process, including joint decision-making,” Sanaka Samarasinha noted.

The participants of the conference emphasize the importance of strengthening the dialogue with foreign partners, UN agencies, and the parties concerned at the national level. They also point out that it is important to take an innovative approach to the already existing and recently-established partnership ties in the field of development. The forum will take stock of the cooperation between Belarusian and international partners and analyze the experience gained during the implementation of technical assistance projects.

Belarus is currently working on the national strategy for its sustainable social and economic development till 2030 and the national development program for 2016-2020. The United Nations is ready to support Belarus’ development efforts.

The government, United Nations, and other partied concerned, including Belarusian citizens, businessmen and scientists, are actively involved in the preparation of the UN Development Assistance Framework for Belarus for 2016–2020. The first framework program for 2011-2015 significantly contributed to the coordinated, harmonized and streamlined management of the funds donated for the projects of the UN agencies in Belarus. In 2011-2015 the agencies received the total of $490 million for the first development assistance framework. The new framework program is focused on four areas that are of major importance for Belarus: sustainable economic development; inclusive, responsible and accountable governance; conservation and sustainable use of natural resources based on the principles of “green” economy; sustainable development of human capital with emphasis on health, education, social involvement, and social protection.

The conference has been organized by the Belarusian Foreign Ministry and the UN Office in Belarus. Partaking in the forum are representatives of government agencies, NGOs, religious organizations, and the 21 UN agencies, Belarusian businessmen and scientists, and experts from ten countries involved in the implementation of projects of international development assistance in Belarus.