MOSCOW, 11 March (BelTA) – The Belarus-Russia Union State PA Commission on Ecology, Nature Management and Emergency Response has suggested a new program of joint activities to eliminate the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Its meeting took place in Minsk and Moscow in the format of a video conference on 10 March, BelTA learned from the press service of the Parliamentary Assmebly.
“The MPs got familiar with the results of the implementation of the program of joint activities of Belarus and Russia within the Union State to protect the population and rehabilitate the territories affected by the Chernobyl disaster in 2021. The program covers the period of 2019-2022 and is aimed at creating conditions for safe life of the population in the radioactively contaminated areas of Belarus and Russia affected by the Chernobyl disaster. The program envisages measures to improve the system of radiation safety, ensure safe agricultural production, create conditions for the return of contaminated territories to normal life. The MPs emphasized the relevance and social significance of the program under consideration and recommended to complete the set of measures envisaged for 2022. The Emergencies Ministries of Belarus and Russia together with the interested ministries and departments were invited to start drafting a concept of the program of joint activities of Belarus and Russia to mitigate the consequences of the Chernobyl accident for the next period,” the press service informed.
The participants of the meeting also summarized the results of the Union State Hydrometeorological Security System program for 2017-2021. “The program is aimed at increasing the level of protection of industries, vital interests of individuals, society and the state from the impact of dangerous natural phenomena, as well as adaptation to climate change,” the press service said.
The MPs were informed on the progress made in the development of a draft concept of the Union State program “Ensuring hydrometeorological security in the context of climate variability and change” for 2023-2027. According to the MPs, the goal of the program is to increase the resilience of social, economic and environmental systems to climate variability and change through the development of effective and timely regional and national climate, hydrometeorological, geophysical and environmental services. The draft concept is currently undergoing approval procedures. “MPs - members of the Parliamentary Assembly Commission on Ecology, Nature Management and Emergency Response will continue to monitor its preparation and approval,” the press service stressed.
Apart from the Union State MPs, the event was attended by representatives of the Union State Standing Committee, the Emergencies Ministry of Belarus, the Emergencies Ministry of Russia, Belhydromet and Roshydromet.
Photos courtesy of the Belarus-Russia Union State PA
