MOSTY, 14 August (BelTA) – Previous congresses of small towns between Belarus’ Grodno Oblast and Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Oblast have yielded tangible results, Yelena Pasyuta, Chairperson of the Grodno Oblast Council of Deputies, told the media, BelTA learned.
“Today marks the conclusion of the 4th Congress of Small Towns, held under the motto ‘Small Regions, Big Opportunities.’ We affirm that this has truly been a platform for exchanging ideas on ways of improving local governance and self-government in rural development,” Yelena Pasyuta said.
A key focus was digitalization and technology in agriculture. “This is indeed a venue for sharing perspectives on youth policy and youth parliamentarism,” she noted.
Yelena Pasyuta noted that the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory served as a unifying theme for all events in Grodno Oblast districts that are part of the partner alliance for sustainable development.“This platform also addressed issues raised at the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, particularly concerning small towns’ development,” she said.
“Today marks the conclusion of the 4th Congress of Small Towns, held under the motto ‘Small Regions, Big Opportunities.’ We affirm that this has truly been a platform for exchanging ideas on ways of improving local governance and self-government in rural development,” Yelena Pasyuta said.
A key focus was digitalization and technology in agriculture. “This is indeed a venue for sharing perspectives on youth policy and youth parliamentarism,” she noted.
Yelena Pasyuta noted that the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory served as a unifying theme for all events in Grodno Oblast districts that are part of the partner alliance for sustainable development.“This platform also addressed issues raised at the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, particularly concerning small towns’ development,” she said.
The forum, she noted, does not end here, as the signing of several documents and roadmaps outlines further activities during the period between congresses. “The topics discussed are vital for both Nizhny Novgorod Oblast and Grodno Oblast: retaining young specialists in rural areas, SME growth, and tourism development – not just for regional appeal but also for boosting the tourism industry. We shared our historical and cultural heritage, highlighting our regions’ attractiveness, leaving a positive impression on our Russian colleagues. The next congress will shift focus toward cultural ties, given our shared traditions,” Yelena Pasyuta said. She stressed that attracting investment to small regions, advancing tourism and agricultural business and securing youth in rural areas remain priorities for the coming year and future congresses.
“Previous exchanges have already have yielded tangible results. The Russian Federation has adopted approaches of Grodno Oblast to agro-ecotourism. Now our Russian colleagues emphasize the necessity of systemic urban improvements, particularly the demolition of derelict housing, as an effective step toward revitalizing communities and enhancing residents’ quality of life,” Yelena Pasyuta concluded.
Follow us on:
