MINSK, 6 March (BelTA) - Belarus' initiative to create a global database on Sustainable Development Goals was supported at the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region in Geneva, BelTA learned from the press service of the Council of the Republic.
Marianna Shchetkina, Deputy Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic, National Coordinator for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, presented Belarus' experience in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the results the Minsk Regional SDG Coordination Leaders Forum at the meeting of the high-level segment of the UNECE regional forum in Geneva. She informed the meeting participants about the Minsk forum proposal to build a partnership network of national SDG coordinators. Those proposals were supported. “The participants of the meeting heard the information about Belarus and the forum with great interest. Marianna Shchetkina was asked about the Belarusian architecture for SDGs, the interaction between the state, business and the civil society,” the press service informed.
On the sidelines of the UNECE forum in Geneva, Marianna Shchetkina met with with UNCTAD Deputy Secretary General Isabelle Durant to discuss the ways of expanding parliamentary cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Isabelle Durant praised the efforts of Belarusian MPs and emphasized the importance of parliamentary hearings held in Belarus in December 2017 on the SDGs. The parties discussed the possibilities of expanding the country's cooperation with the UNCTAD in such areas as investment policy, e-commerce, and promotion of SMEs. The parties also talked over Belarus' participation in the World Investment Forum which will be held under the auspices of the UNCTAD in Geneva on 22-25 October 2018,” the press service of the upper chamber of the parliament said.
Marianna Shchetkina also met with Arancha Gonzlez, the Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC). The parties discussed Belarus' prospects for joining the ITC technical assistance project “Eastern Partnership: Ready to Trade - an EU4Business initiative”. The project is aimed at facilitating access to the EU market for small and medium-sized enterprises, primarily in the light industry.
While in Geneva, the vice speaker met with Cihan Sultanoglu, the Assistant Secretary General, Director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS. She spoke highly the results of the Regional Sustainable Development Goals Coordination Leaders Forum in Minsk, and the role of Belarus. The parties discussed further prospects for joint work to achieve the SDGs. “Belarus is an active supporter of global and regional integration and is ready to contribute in every way to the strengthening of international partnership to achieve the SDGs,” the press service of the Council of the Republic stressed.
