Press releases

7 Jun 2019

15th National Environmental Forum kicks off in Novogrudok

GRODNO, 7 June (BelTA) – Novogrudok is hosting the 15th edition of the National Environmental Forum, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

This year the two-day forum will focus on sustainable development of small towns, global challenges and local solutions. It reflects one of the key goals for Belarus and the world which is to preserve natural resources for future generations.

“The venue for the forum was not chosen at random. The head of state set the course for the development of small settlements, creating comfortable living conditions there. Novogrudok is one of the flagships in the field of sustainable development of small and medium-sized cities. In 2017, Novogrudok became a pilot city of the Green Cities project and is a worthy base for replicating the experience today,” the ministry said.

The forum program will include scientific, educational, and exhibition events. “The program is focused on fulfilling the head of state’s instructions to clean up and landscape communities, create a comfortable living environment in cities, develop an efficient waste management system, preserve biological and landscape diversity for generations to come and other instructions related to environmental conservation,” the ministry said.

The forum will feature official ceremonies to unveil urban streets equipped with smart LED lighting systems. The initiative was implemented as part of the project “Belarus: Supporting Green Urban Development in Small and Medium-Sized Cities in Belarus” (Green Cities) financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the UN Development program in cooperation with the Belarusian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

The National Environmental Forum aims to unite efforts of small and medium-sized Belarusian cities in the search for effective ways for further sustainable development. The event provides an opportunity to share experience between representatives of cities, scientists, business, international organizations and the general public. Invited to take part in the forum are representatives of nature conservation bodies of other countries.

The National Environmental Forum was first held in 2003. The forum was hosted by Orsha, Gorki, Polotsk, Braslav, Myadel, Rechitsa, Grodno, Brest, Molodechno, Bobruisk, Mozyr, Minsk, and Vitebsk. The forum is organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection with assistance from local executive and regulatory bodies, international organizations and partners.