MINSK, 24 January (BelTA) – Belarus' national architecture for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been highly praised by many countries, Vice Speaker of the Council of the Republic, National Coordinator for SDGs Marianna Shchetkina told reporters prior to the opening of the First National Forum on Sustainable Development in Minsk, BelTA has learned.
Actions to deliver the SDGs should be taken at national, regional and international level. “As far as the international level is concerned, our country already presented its report in 2017. As to the regional level, we held a large-scale conference involving participants from Europe and the CIS, and put forward an initiative to set up a partner network of national coordinators to achieve the SDGs. The proposal was upheld in Europe and the United Nations. Now we are holding a national forum to review the work over 1.5 years and outline plans for the future. We have gone a long way over this time. We have set up a national SDGs reporting platform; the tasks related to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals have been distributed among various government agencies. This architecture for achieving the SDGs is praised by many. And we are glad to share our expertise and knowledge,” Marianna Shchetkina said.
According to her, any country can offer valuable experience in delivering the SDGs, because each country has its own way to achieve them. If some country has already come up with efficient solutions, its partners will not have to invent the wheel. “Borders are quite nominal today. We cannot divide air, water and other resources, like rivers, seas and atmosphere – they are common. Every person wants to live in good conditions, be healthy and well-off, get education and have a good job,” Marianna Shchetkina noted.
The United Nations adopted the Agenda 2030 in 2015. It includes 17 goals aimed at eradicating poverty, fighting inequality and injustice, mitigating the climate change. The Agenda 2030 is a comprehensive strategy to improve the quality of people's lives, to promote development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. All 17 goals are being adapted for Belarus. Belarus' national architecture for achieving the SDGs includes the Council for Sustainable Development (which includes representatives from all government agencies), partners and other groups, civil society and international organizations. All their proposals will be reflected in the national sustainable development strategy until 2035. The policy documents, legislation will also rely on the Agenda 2030 goals.
The First National Forum on Sustainable Development is taking place in Minsk on 24 January. It has brought together all stakeholders working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and also international partners. During plenary and panel sessions (environment, economy, social policy and monitoring), the participants will exchange views and vocalize proposals regarding the future work on achieving the SDGs and the necessary measures for the improvement of this work. The forum will set the guidelines for short-, medium-and long-term prospects. The participants of the forum will put forward proposals that will make the basis of the resolution of the first national forum. “The final document will be discussed by the Council for Sustainable Development and forwarded to the government, the Belarus President Administration, and the National Assembly,” Marianna Shchetkina said.
