Opinions & Interviews

Shchetkina: Every person can contribute to SDGs achievement

MINSK, 14 August (BelTA) – It is important that every person contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, Vice Speaker of the Council of the Republic, National Coordinator for SDGs Marianna Shchetkina said during the event to raise awareness about the SDGs. The vice speaker met with officers of the central office of the Defense Ministry, BelTA learned from the press service of the upper house of the Belarusian Parliament.

Marianna Shchetkina spoke about the basic principles of sustainable development, national SDG architecture, the mission of the Council for Sustainable Development, and the monitoring of the progress towards the SDGs. Work towards the SDGs is not only the work to achieve the goals. It is also the involvement of everyone in this process, Marianna Shchetkina said. It is a way of life when people are concerned about ecology in their city, their country, on the planet as a whole, and when they are willing to do something to preserve it. In this regard, it is very important to work with young people to foster respect for the environment, the national coordinator added.

The vice speaker recalled that the SDGs are achieved across four tracks: economy, environment, social sector and monitoring. They are interrelated. Special attention is attached to the SDGs at the regional level. The goal is to develop the strategy of sustainable development of every region. Mogilev Oblast has already prepared such a document.

“We are beginning to develop new programs for the next five years. These programs will be made taking into account the specific features of every region,” Marianna Shchetkina said.

The national coordinator also drew attention to the smart city concept which implies integration and online coordination of city services, and infrastructure operators. This is a qualitatively new level of city environment. Brest was the first in the country to embrace this concept. A similar program is being prepared in Minsk.

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