MINSK, 12 February (BelTA) – A proposal to connect the celebrations of the UN's anniversary and the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Second World War by a joint landmark event was put forward by Belarus' Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkiunas as he led a Belarusian delegation at the 58th session of the UN Commission for Social Development, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During his visit to New York on 11 February the Belarusian deputy minister of foreign affairs met with Melissa Fleming, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications. The parties discussed preparations for the UN's 75th anniversary celebrations in 2020.
“Andrei Dapkiunas suggesting joining the celebrations of the UN's anniversary and the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Second World War and uniting the efforts of the countries with the support of the UN Department of Global Communications to organize a landmark event, which goes beyond the usual protocol, to emphasize not only the important role of the states that contributed to the Victory in the War but illustrate the unity and cohesion of all UN member states with regard to this important event,” the ministry said.
The deputy minister also addressed the high-level panel discussion of the UN Commission for Social Development on the priority theme “Affordable Housing and Social Protection Systems for all to Address Homelessness”. The commission is a subsidiary body of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It works to reduce poverty, social inequality and to promote international policies to build social justice for the most vulnerable groups. Belarus is a member of the Commission for Social Development for 2016-2020 and an ECOSOC member for 2018-2020.
According to the Belarusian deputy minister of foreign affairs, affordability of housing has always been a top priority for Belarus and it is seen as the main element in preventing homelessness. Belarus focuses key attention not only on the availability of housing, but also on its comfort, safety and modernity.
“Andrei Dapkiunas also emphasized the relevance of addressing the problem of homeless families. He stressed the need to strengthen and protect the institution of the family at the international level, including in the context of negative factors that contribute to the destruction of families,” the ministry said.
Photos courtesy of Belarus' Ministry of Foreign Affairs
