Events

MINSK, 18 September (BelTA) - Belarus began working on the National Sustainable Development Strategy through 2035, BelTA learned learned from the website of the Economy Ministry.

The Research Institute of Economy at the Economy Ministry hosted the first meeting of the public council for monitoring and assessment of sustainable development. “This consultative body has been set up at the institute to develop objectives and priorities of socio-economic development in the long term, which will form the basis of the National Sustainable Development Strategy through 2035, and other program documents,” the Economy Ministry said.

The public council is composed of the heads of the institutions of the Economy Ministry and the ministry itself, the National Academy of Sciences, the Labor and Social Security Ministry, experts of the Belarusian State Economic University, Belarusian State Pedagogical University, Institute of Professional Education, representatives of the UN and other international organizations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, research centers, associations and business unions.

Welcoming the participants, Economy Minister Vladimir Zinovsky said that the meeting can be considered a starting point for the work on one of the most important documents of the country: the National Sustainable Development Strategy up to 2035. We decided to start with the implementation of the United Nations sustainable development goals. To achieve them, Belarus has established a national system of indicators. This extensive work has been carried out by the council for sustainable development under the leadership of Marianna Shchetkina,” Vladimir Zinovsky said.

The minister outlined three primary goals for the public council. The first one is to assess the current sustainable development strategy. The second goal is to work out national priorities and development goals through 2035, determine sustainable development measures for Belarus. The third one is to develop a national strategy.

“It is clear that the strategy should become the main instrument in achieving the sustainable development goals, while the system of parameters will indicate their fulfillment. The public council will play the key role in it,” the minister said.

He expressed hope that the public council would serve as a link between the government bodies and the civil society in part of consolidating the efforts of the state, business and the society in shaping the country’s future. Belarus will draw on the best international practices for the purpose.

“Following the principles of sustainability, we cannot view ourselves as a separately existing state. Global trends affect every civilized state. Our number one goal is to be part of the sustainability trend. The state’s policy is aimed at improving the wellbeing of every person, promoting comfortable living conditions and, of course, developing the economic basis. This means manufacturing enterprises, jobs and decent salaries,” Vladimir Zinovsky said.