Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 26 October (BelTA) – Belarus views the United Nations as a universal organization to address the key issues of the present day, Belarus Premier Andrei Kobyakov said as he met with UNDP Assistant Administrator, Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS Cihan Sultanoglu on 26 October, BelTA informs.

According to Andrei Kobyakov, Belarus hold an active position on the UN platform and views it the only universal organization on the world arena, the only instrument to adopt decisions on the key present-day issues. “Belarus and the United Nations enjoy close relations. Belarus as one of the UN founding states takes up a consistent stand in support of the United Nations,” he stressed.

“We defend the UN central role in securing sustainable social and economic development of different parts of the planet,” the PM added.

The Belarusian head of government stressed that the UN-Belarus relationship dynamics is largely associated with Cihan Sultanoglu’s personal involvement in the process. “We see what efforts you and your counterparts devote to confirm the organization’s high status. We see how hard the UN representation in our country works,” he said.

In turn, Cihan Sultanoglu stressed that Belarus has recently made great headway in the social and economic development. For example, a low maternal mortality rate can serve as one of testimonies to it. She also underlined steadily development of the country’s capital.

Positive assessment was given to the assistance provided by the UNDP in Belarus’ integration into the world trade system, introduction of the e-government system, harmonization of personal data protection standards, expansion of women’s participation in the political and economic life of the country, enhancement of efficient use of electricity, promotion of healthy lifestyles, HIV/AIDS prevention.

Besides, the parties exchanged opinions on the prospects of the UNDP international advisory and technical assistance to Belarus.

Special attention was also drawn to cooperation on Chernobyl issues in the frame of the forthcoming 30^th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident. Taking into account the UNDP’s coordination of international cooperation on Chernobyl, the parties discussed the development of new strategic approaches of the United Nations Organization in the area and the organization of commemorative events in April 2016.

Belarus’ interest was stressed in further expansion of cooperation with the UNDP and other UN social and economic agencies.