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06 March 2019, 17:19

Brest Oblast cities, districts join Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy

BREST, 6 March (BelTA) – Eight cities and districts of Brest Oblast have already joined the EU's Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. The information was provided during the EU-Belarus Cooperation: Brest Oblast meeting on 6 March, BelTA has learned.

“It is great to see so many creative ideas from representatives of Brest Oblast. Many in the region take part in the Covenant of Mayors movement. It is important to save energy so it could be used in other areas. This is a serious contribution to the Paris Agreement and also other agreements to reduce impact on the climate,” said Vassilis Maragos, Head of Unit “Regional Programmes Neighbourhood East” at the Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission.

Virtually half of the districts of Brest Oblast are part of the Global Covenant of Mayors. The movement is supported by Brest, Baranovichi, Pinsk, Kobrin, Pruzhany, Bereza, Ivatsevichi and also Pinsk District. “They are very active. They initiate many projects, share their best practices. For instance, there are plans to organize a visit to Brest for representatives of other Belarusian cities-signatories to learn the city's best practices,” said national expert of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy Ivan Shchedrenok.

He cited several initiatives that could be replicated in other cities. For example, the city of Bereza is implementing a project, with the financial support of the EU, to upgrade street lighting. The city is replacing outdated lamps for energy efficient ones, installing smart street lighting control system. Two more cities of Brest Oblast have joined the pilot initiative to adapt to the climate change. “Belarus has little experience in this area. The project also involves Brest and Pinsk. Brest is exploring solid municipal waste treatment technologies, innovative platforms and collection mechanisms. Pinsk is working on the adaptation of the healthcare system to the climate change,” Ivan Shchedrenok said.

The informal meeting EU-Belarus Cooperation: Brest Oblast discussed plans, ways to boost cooperation under new projects. “Since 2006 - 2007 we have implemented more than 140 projects under international programs, including with the help of the EU Delegation to Belarus. We are interested in further cooperation. We have ideas in utilities and housing, infrastructure, tourism,” said Yuri Kolesov, deputy head of the foreign economy and investment department at the Brest Oblast Executive Committee.

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