MINSK, 11 February (BelTA) – The 6th Belarusian People's Congress is set to open in the Palace of the Republic in Minsk on 11 February, BelTA has learned.
The delegates will take stock of the progress in the implementation of Belarus' social and economic development program for 2016-2020 and discuss the main provisions of the country's draft social and economic development program for 2021-2025. The main goal for the five-year period is to ensure social stability in society and increase the welfare of citizens through the qualitative growth of the economy, social capital, comfortable conditions for life, work and self-fulfillment. The key tasks are to reduce the dependence of economic growth on hydrocarbon raw materials, to increase export potential through high-tech goods, and to launch a new investment cycle.
The main results will be the growth of GDP by 1.2 times in real terms in 2025, an increase in life expectancy to 76.5 years, an increase of capital investment by more than 1.2 times, an expansion of exports of goods and services by over $50 billion in 2025, a 1.2 times increase in real disposable income for the five-year period, including an increase in pension benefits above inflation, and a 1.3 times increase in industrial productivity. The key priorities of the five-year plan are a happy family, strong regions, a smart country, and a state as a partner.
The 6th Belarusian People's Congress was preceded by a lot of preparatory work, which became its distinctive feature. Dialogue platforms were held across the country, where absolutely everyone could express their proposals. All of them were accumulated and formed the basis of the agenda of this large-scale forum. In addition, citizens could submit their proposals to the website of the 6th Belarusian People's Congress. They were also processed and taken into account in preparation for the forum.
This time the number of delegates have made 2,400 people. Taking into account invitees, the total number of the forum participants will be 2,700. Traditionally, these are representatives of all sectors of society and regions. MPs constitute 6.8% of the delegates, representatives of industry, construction, transport - 30%, government agencies - 14.8%, agriculture - 8.2%. Social and cultural sector, the service sector and the media will account for 25.9% of the total number of the forum participants, law enforcement - 4.1% and private business - 2.7%. Pensioners will account for 5.9%, students - 1.5%.
Women make up over a third of the delegates, young people under 30 - 6.3% of the total, those aged 31-40 years old - 17.3%, 41-50 years old - 35.9%, 51-60 years old - 29.7%, over 60 years old - 10.8%.
The opening of the congress, the president's speech and speeches of the delegates will be broadcast live on Belarusian TV channels and the First National Channel of Belarusian Radio. The broadcast will also be available on the website of the sixth Belarusian People's Assembly and internet platforms of the major state media outlets. The event is scheduled to start at 11:00 in the morning.
Aleksandr Lukashenko is expected to take part in the work of the Belarusian People's Congress on 12 February.
The TV version of the Belarusian People's Congress will be aired in the evening broadcasts of the Belarusian TV channels on 14 February.
