Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 25 September (BelTA) – Belarus is interested in cooperation with the World Economic Forum, Vice Speaker of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Marianna Shchetkina said at a meeting with President of the World Economic Forum Borge Brende in New York on 25 September, BelTA learned from the press service of the upper house of the Belarusian parliament.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Sustainable Development Impact Summit organized by the World Economic Forum. “Marianna Shchetkina expressed gratitude to the organizers for the invitation and WEF participation in the work on the Sustainable Development Goals. She stressed Belarus’ interest in developing cooperation with WEF in global goals and other areas of the organization's activity,” the press service noted.

The vice-speaker also held a number of meetings, including with Head of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship Hilde Schwab. The deputy chairwoman of the Council of the Republic discussed with her the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Marianna Shchetkina held talks with member of the WEF Executive Council Terri Toyota. “The parties discussed Belarus’ interest in carrying out joint research on topical economic policy issues and also Belarus’ inclusion to the WEF Global Competitiveness Index,” said the press service of the Council of the Republic.

The talks with Executive Director of the International Trade Center (ITC) Arancha Gonzalez highlighted Belarus' readiness to join the center’s initiative to expand women's entrepreneurial activities, including with the target of foreign trade. “ITC was invited to consider the possibility of holding a training seminar in Belarus for Belarusian female entrepreneurs on the use of databases and information resources of the organization,” the press service of the upper house of the parliament said.

The Sustainable Development Impact Summit organized by the World Economic Forum is underway in New York on 24-25 September. The forum celebrated the opening of the 73^rd session of the UN General Assembly. Belarus took part in the forum for the first time.

Marianna Shchetkina attended the summit’s session on developing sustainable markets and the discussion on gender parity. During the roundtable the vice speaker spoke about Belarus' efforts on achieving SDGs, including gender equality issues.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum (WEF) is a non-government organization that unites over 1,000 companies and corporations. WEF is the organizer of the annual economic forum in Davos. Taking part in the forum are heads of state, heads of world’s leading corporations, outstanding economic analysts and journalists.