MINSK, 20 December (BelTA) - Belarus is interested in the development of cooperation with the United Nations and its agencies in environmental protection, Belarus’ Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Andrei Khudyk said as he met with UN Resident Coordinator, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki, BelTA learned from the ministry.
The parties discussed the ministry’s interaction with a number of UN agencies and agencies, the implementation of international technical assistance environmental projects, and the expansion of Belarus’ participation in them. “Our cooperation with the United Nations and its agencies brings positive results. There has been a serious progress in this direction. We see great benefit in our cooperation and we are interested in its further development,” said Andrei Khudyk.
Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki emphasized the importance of cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Belarus. “The implementation of environmental projects is a big part of our work, and your ministry plays a major role in it. Without your participation as a government body, they would not be so successful. Today, UN agencies implement in the country four full-scale international technical assistance environmental projects and 13 projects within the framework of small grants that solve tasks at the local level and are equally important. We are ready to continue to support the efforts of the Belarusian government in the achievement of SDGs, transition to a green economy, renewable energy development, waste management. Currently, four more major environmental projects are in the pipeline. We will be happy to provide further support in attracting new ideas and opportunities to the country, determining the right development path in the environmental field,” she stressed.
The parties also talked over the strategy of Belarus-UN cooperation in the areas such as the implementation of measures of the Paris Agreement, Smart and sustainable cities, electric transport.