MINSK, 5 February (BelTA) – Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko convened a meeting of the Presidium of the Council of Ministers to discuss the draft National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Belarus until 2040, BelTA learned.
"The Economy Ministry has submitted the draft National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Belarus for the period until 2040, as required by the legislation. The work on this document has been underway since 2023. An interdepartmental working group was set up for this purpose. The strategy submitted for consideration will serve as a basis for the social and economic development program for the next five-year period, the concept of which will be considered a little later, tentatively in April," Roman Golovchenko said.
He also explained what the draft strategy is. "It defines the areas of the country's development in the next 15 years and concentration of resources to achieve the set goals. This document should simultaneously ensure the national security and create conditions for sustainable development and the achievement of high standards of living," the prime minister said.
He noted that the world today has set out on the path of de-globalization and trade wars. Protectionism is becoming the dominant strategy. New blocs are being created and they are actively devising their own standards and rules, the frameworks for the development of their own technologies.
"Taking into account the structure of our economy, it becomes obvious that the accelerated development of innovations and the use of digital technologies in all areas of life of the state are essential for us. Because it is no longer possible to respond to global challenges (already existing and those that will arise in the near future) with traditional measures. In fact, we need to not only reorganize the economy, but also our mindset towards the use of big data management models, artificial intelligence, neural networks, and additive manufacturing, among other things. Accordingly, we need to revise approaches to training personnel for the new economy. In this regard, I would like to know what long-term strategies for the formation of a knowledge-based economy the draft strategy envisages. Are these approaches sufficient to achieve the necessary level of competitiveness and ensure sustainable development? Roman Golovchenko asked.
According to the prime minister, there are several other areas of work that are of significance and require close attention. “These areas include demography, environmental protection, and resource management. How will we stabilize the population and ensure sustainable population growth? What measures will be taken to implement the concept of active ageing and develop the so-called silver economy, which is focused on meeting the needs of older people? Our environmental programs should be aimed at promoting circular economy principles and developing green infrastructure," he emphasized.
The drafts of the program and strategy include indicators that are supposed to be achieved by 2040. “The goals are quite ambitious: the gross domestic product, investments, and exports should almost double, the share of the digital economy should triple, the share of high-tech industries should reach 50%, life expectancy should rise to 80.5 years," the prime minister said.
"Therefore, I would like to ask how we will organize the work to achieve these goals and objectives. Do you think there will be enough human, technological and financial resources for this? Is the power vertical ready to implement these plans? How much will the regions and government agencies be involved in this work? It is very important for this strategy to become a truly working document and a guideline for every manager at all levels," the prime minister concluded.
"The Economy Ministry has submitted the draft National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Belarus for the period until 2040, as required by the legislation. The work on this document has been underway since 2023. An interdepartmental working group was set up for this purpose. The strategy submitted for consideration will serve as a basis for the social and economic development program for the next five-year period, the concept of which will be considered a little later, tentatively in April," Roman Golovchenko said.
He also explained what the draft strategy is. "It defines the areas of the country's development in the next 15 years and concentration of resources to achieve the set goals. This document should simultaneously ensure the national security and create conditions for sustainable development and the achievement of high standards of living," the prime minister said.
He noted that the world today has set out on the path of de-globalization and trade wars. Protectionism is becoming the dominant strategy. New blocs are being created and they are actively devising their own standards and rules, the frameworks for the development of their own technologies.
"Taking into account the structure of our economy, it becomes obvious that the accelerated development of innovations and the use of digital technologies in all areas of life of the state are essential for us. Because it is no longer possible to respond to global challenges (already existing and those that will arise in the near future) with traditional measures. In fact, we need to not only reorganize the economy, but also our mindset towards the use of big data management models, artificial intelligence, neural networks, and additive manufacturing, among other things. Accordingly, we need to revise approaches to training personnel for the new economy. In this regard, I would like to know what long-term strategies for the formation of a knowledge-based economy the draft strategy envisages. Are these approaches sufficient to achieve the necessary level of competitiveness and ensure sustainable development? Roman Golovchenko asked.
According to the prime minister, there are several other areas of work that are of significance and require close attention. “These areas include demography, environmental protection, and resource management. How will we stabilize the population and ensure sustainable population growth? What measures will be taken to implement the concept of active ageing and develop the so-called silver economy, which is focused on meeting the needs of older people? Our environmental programs should be aimed at promoting circular economy principles and developing green infrastructure," he emphasized.
The drafts of the program and strategy include indicators that are supposed to be achieved by 2040. “The goals are quite ambitious: the gross domestic product, investments, and exports should almost double, the share of the digital economy should triple, the share of high-tech industries should reach 50%, life expectancy should rise to 80.5 years," the prime minister said.
"Therefore, I would like to ask how we will organize the work to achieve these goals and objectives. Do you think there will be enough human, technological and financial resources for this? Is the power vertical ready to implement these plans? How much will the regions and government agencies be involved in this work? It is very important for this strategy to become a truly working document and a guideline for every manager at all levels," the prime minister concluded.
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