MINSK, 24 October (BelTA) – Belarus will be able to implement all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus Sanaka Samarasinha said at a solemn tree planting ceremony to mark the 71st anniversary of United Nations Organization and the start of the campaign Inclusive Belarus: Leaving No One Behind in Reaching Sustainable Development Goals on 24 October, BelTA has learned.
The ceremony in Loshitsa Park was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other ministries and agencies, Minsk City Hall, diplomats and the general public.
“Belarus implemented the Millennium Development Goals (the Millennium Declaration was unanimously approved by the UN member states in 2000, the MDGs determined the common priorities for the period before 2015 - BelTA). I am confident that the country will be able to implement all the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Belarus' progress in the area will be marked by an annual tree planting event,” said Sanaka Samarasinha.
The central theme of the Inclusive Belarus campaign is Sustainable Development Goal No.10 – reducing inequality. The campaign aims to enhance the public awareness of barriers and inequality, the fight against stigmatization of the vulnerable groups of the population.
Belarus' Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Valentin Rybakov emphasized a high level of cooperation with the UN agencies in Belarus. In his opinion, the Inclusive Belarus campaign will promote further efforts in the development sphere.
The exhibition of the UN agencies in Belarus will open in the hall of the Palace of the Republic on 24 October. Among the invitees are representatives of the government bodies, private sector, public organizations, disadvantaged groups. The UN Day will be completed with an inclusive concert in the Small Hall of the Palace of the Republic. Partaking in it will be vulnerable groups of the population, artists, UN Goodwill Ambassadors.
