MINSK, 22 January (BelTA) – Belarus and Novosibirsk Oblast of Russia discussed cooperation prospects in environmental protection and rational use of natural resources, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.
Belarus Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Andrei Khudyk met with representatives of the Novosibirsk Oblast delegation, including Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian region Andrei Danilenko. The environmental authorities of Belarus and Novosibirsk Oblast are set to expand cooperation. To this end, they sign new cooperation agreements, implement roadmaps and conclude direct trade and economic contracts.
The Belarusian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection is ready to share its best practices in preserving biological and landscape diversity, waste treatment, state environmental impact audits, environmental legislation and other area of expertise, Andrei Khudyk said.
Andrei Danilenko confirmed the region's commitment to closer cooperation.
“The parties discussed protection of the atmospheric air, waste management regulations, a balance between environmental protection and business, environmental education and awareness raising campaigns, as well as land management, action against invasive plants, and backfill. The parties also discussed at length new approaches to eco-friendly urban development. The ministries agreed to meet again to discuss Belarus' best practices in green urban development and its experience of implementing the Green Cities project,” the ministry noted.
The UNDP project “Supporting Green Urban Development in Small and Medium-Sized Cities in Belarus (Green Cities)” is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection in 2016-2021. One of the main components of the project are the pilots on sustainable urban transport in Polotsk and Novopolotsk and energy efficiency in Novogrudok.
