Events

MINSK, 10 September (BelTA) – The Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) unanimously adopted the UNICEF Country Program for the Republic of Belarus for 2016–2020 at its regular session at the UN Headquarters in New York on 9 September, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The budget of the new program is estimated at $8.5 million. “The program aims to support the efforts of Belarus for best ensuring of interests of the child at the national level. The program pays particular attention to support of families in creating a safe, caring and supportive environment for children and to promotion of responsible parenting. The program also provides the UNICEF assistance to the Government of Belarus in ensuring access of children with special needs and disabilities to comprehensive health care, quality education, psychological and social services,” the ministry said.

Permanent Representative of Belarus to the UN Andrei Dapkiunas highly evaluated the new country program for Belarus. The Belarusian diplomat believes that the implementation of the program will be an important step in carrying out the principle “no child left behind”. The Permanent Representative of Belarus to the UN welcomed the consistent efforts of UNICEF to widen its partnership with non-governmental organizations, civil society and private sector for achievement of the program goals.

Andrei Dapkiunas assured that the Government of Belarus, for its part, will make all necessary efforts for successful and full implementation of the program. The diplomat also noted that Belarus is open to cooperation in securing children’s rights with all partners at national and international levels.