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Khomenko: Belarus calls for joint efforts to achieve the SDGs
Screenshot of un.org video
MINSK, 2 April (BelTA) - Belarusians have faced information and sanction pressures, but have grown stronger and strive to make the world a better place, Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Republic, National Coordinator for the Sustainable Development Goals Sergei Khomenko said at the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region in Geneva, BelTA has learned.
Sergei Khomenko noted that Belarus has developed a draft National Development Strategy until 2040. The document envisages the achievement of high living standards for people. In particular, it is planned to increase the share of high-tech industries to 50% and average life expectancy to 80.5 years.
However, according to Sergei Khomenko, Belarus sees threats and challenges to sustainable development on its path to achieving these goals.
"Today, the world is experiencing a deep geopolitical crisis. There are numerous armed conflicts, attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of other states and the imposition of illegal sanctions. I can provide examples. Thousands of NATO troops are deployed near Belarus' borders. What is their purpose?" he asked rhetorically. "A serious threat comes from unilateral coercive measures, simply put - sanctions." He noted that these barriers are being applied by countries that signed the 2030 Agenda.
"Let me remind you of a proverb: a promise made is a promise kept. Think about that fact that those who signed the 2030 Agenda also imposed sanctions," Sergei Khomenko emphasized. "We, Belarusians, affected by information and sanction pressures for a third of a century, have grown stronger and strive to make the world a better place."
Sergei Khomenko also congratulated forum participants on the 80th anniversary of Victory over fascism. He recalled that Belarus experienced the horrors of the war like no other country. "I believe each of us understands that those horrors must never happen again. We urge the international community to unite in supporting peaceful solutions to any issues and to join efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals for the benefit of our countries and peoples," he concluded.
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