Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 26 April (BelTA) – A coordinated international approach is important for dealing with consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, BelTA learned from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sweden to Belarus Martin Aberg.

“I believe important the readiness of the entire international community to take part in the alleviation and minimization of consequences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. However, no results will be produced without coordinated efforts,” said Martin Aberg.

According to the Ambassador, Belarus has secured some progress in dealing with consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. “Your experience can be interesting for other countries for the sake of reducing risks and minimizing possible effects,” emphasized the Ambassador.

The international conference “Chernobyl 30 years later. From an emergency to the revival and sustainable social and economic development of the affected territories” took place in Minsk on 25 April. Among other people Maja Fjaestad, State Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister of Sweden, took part in the conference. The resolution adopted by participants of the conference reads that it is necessary to advance cooperation in Chernobyl affairs to a new level after 2016 under the aegis of the United Nations Organization.

The resolution reads that after 2016 it is necessary to make the transition to a new stage of Chernobyl cooperation under the UN aegis on the basis of multilateral interaction and efforts of the partnerships established in 1986-2016. “We call upon the UN member states and their partners to work out and support an international initiative in favor of securing the Sustainable Development Goals in Chernobyl-affected areas through partnership, innovations, and investments after 2016. We suggest the United Nations Development Program should coordinate the initiative’s implementation,” the document reads.