MINSK, 25 January (BelTA) – The work Belarus is doing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals serves as a unique example for other countries, Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS Mirjana Spoljaric Egger said at the meeting with National Coordinator for SDGs, Vice Speaker of the Council of the Republic of Belarus Marianna Shchetkina, BelTA has learned.
The parties discussed the results of the National Forum on Sustainable Development which took place in Minsk on 24 January, and Belarus-UN cooperation plans. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger thanked for the invitation to the event where Belarus presented its experience in achieving the SDGs. “Belarus serves as a unique example not only for its region but for the whole world,” the director noted. She added that such results were achieved thanks to the joint efforts of the government and the parliament.
During her visit, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger held talks with the senior officials of the Economy Ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Sports and Tourism Ministry, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. The parties confirmed their determination to expand contacts, fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation especially in the context of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger said that the UNDP is undergoing reforms. The agency will spearhead the UN efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda.
Marianna Shchetkina thanked the UN for the support in organizing the national forum and expressed hope that the cooperation will gain momentum. She reminded about the project to assist the Republic of Belarus in nationalizing and localizing the Sustainable Development Goals which was presented at the forum. The national coordinator noted that Belarus intends to boost activities on SDGs at the local level and with the help of the SDGs youth ambassadors. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger confirmed that the UNDP wants to strengthen its positions in Belarus and to synchronize its plans with the governments' plans on implementation of the national sustainable development strategy for the period till 2035.
