Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 21 February (BelTA) - Belarus is highly motivated to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, Andrea Wiktorin, the head of the EU Delegation to Belarus, told the media before the opening of the regional forum of the national SDG coordinators in Minsk, BelTA has learned.

“Every country has accumulated some experience which can and should be shared. Activities such as this forum serve as an excellent platform for sharing knowledge and best practices. Belarus is actively involved in this work, and I would like to note your country’s great motivation, great interest,” Andrea Wiktorin said.

Andrea Wiktorin added that a lot of Belarus’ projects, supported by the EU, are aimed at achieving many of 17 global goals at the regional and national levels.

The UN member states adopted the 2030 Agenda on 25 September 2015. It includes 17 goals meant to eliminate poverty, fight inequality and injustice, resolve problems relating to climate change. Belarus has already taken a number of important steps to reach the SDGs. The government has adopted a national strategy on sustainable social and economic development till 2030. A national infrastructure for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals has been built. The government works to achieve the SDGs together with the private sector, the civil society, and international organizations.

The Belarusian capital is hosting the regional forum of national SDG coordinators. The forum has gathered delegations from more than 40 countries. Top-ranking officials, representatives of international organizations are expected to participate in the forum. Participants of the forum are expected to share the best practices in achieving the SDGs. They will discuss problems in fulfilling the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.