MINSK, 25 September (BelTA) - Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maksim Ryzhenkov spoke at the ministerial meeting of the Like-Minded Group of Countries Supporters of Middle-Income Countries dedicated to the theme "Enhancing Cooperation for the Development of Middle-Income Countries”. The event was held within the framework of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, BelTA has learned.
The Like-Minded Group of Countries Supporters of Middle-Income Countries was established in 2016 at the initiative of Belarus and Costa Rica. For the past year, it has been led by the Philippines.
“The status of middle-income countries shows that we have managed to achieve significant development progress. However, our achievements are still relative, and there is much to be done. It is no coincidence that experts often refer to the situation in our countries as the 'middle-income trap.' Indeed, we are effectively stuck: our economies need new drivers of growth, innovation, and development. If we are not able to use them, there is a risk of us returning to the level at which many of us were before,” Maxim Ryzhenkov said.
On the other hand, if countries manage to overcome these difficulties, they will be able to reach a much higher level of development and become more significant donors in the UN system, providing support to the least developed countries. “The success of middle-income countries is therefore an issue that should concern the entire UN system, not just our group. This is why it is important to hold regular General Assembly summits on these countries,” he said.
In this context, he highlighted two documents for middle-income countries, the Strategic Plan of Action and the system-wide Inter-Agency Response Plan.
"Let us work together to advance these ideas in the biennial resolution draft on the topic 'Development of Cooperation with Middle-Income Countries.' Belarus is ready to make its contribution. We firmly believe that success is possible only through joint efforts. Only then will our voices be heard and taken into account. This means that the interests of middle-income countries must be viewed through the prism of shared interests. We must do everything to convey this idea to other states and associations of states,” the Belarusian minister said.
The Like-Minded Group of Countries Supporters of Middle-Income Countries was established in 2016 at the initiative of Belarus and Costa Rica. For the past year, it has been led by the Philippines.
“The status of middle-income countries shows that we have managed to achieve significant development progress. However, our achievements are still relative, and there is much to be done. It is no coincidence that experts often refer to the situation in our countries as the 'middle-income trap.' Indeed, we are effectively stuck: our economies need new drivers of growth, innovation, and development. If we are not able to use them, there is a risk of us returning to the level at which many of us were before,” Maxim Ryzhenkov said.
On the other hand, if countries manage to overcome these difficulties, they will be able to reach a much higher level of development and become more significant donors in the UN system, providing support to the least developed countries. “The success of middle-income countries is therefore an issue that should concern the entire UN system, not just our group. This is why it is important to hold regular General Assembly summits on these countries,” he said.
In this context, he highlighted two documents for middle-income countries, the Strategic Plan of Action and the system-wide Inter-Agency Response Plan.
"Let us work together to advance these ideas in the biennial resolution draft on the topic 'Development of Cooperation with Middle-Income Countries.' Belarus is ready to make its contribution. We firmly believe that success is possible only through joint efforts. Only then will our voices be heard and taken into account. This means that the interests of middle-income countries must be viewed through the prism of shared interests. We must do everything to convey this idea to other states and associations of states,” the Belarusian minister said.
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