Opinions & Interviews

GENEVA, 2 October (BelTA) – The fact that Belarus’ Labor and Social Security Minister Irina Kostevich co-chairs the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) regional conference on Enabling Choices: Population Dynamics and Sustainable Development in Geneva attests to the recognition of the country’s achievements in this field, BelTA learned from Alanna Armitage, UNFPA Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

“It is very important that Belarus co-chairs one of the sessions to assess the region’s progress in implementing the program of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in the run-up to its 25^th anniversary. Belarus was suggested as a chair because of its significant achievements. For example, the country boasts one of the world’s lowest maternity death rates. The country has totally eliminated a possibility of mother-to-child transmission of infections. On the other hand, Belarus is facing new challenges common for the region: population ageing, low birth rates, migration,” Alanna Armitage said.

She also praised the high level of moderation of the thematic session “Population dynamics and sustainable development” by Irina Kostevich. “That was a fantastic experience. It helped Belarus share its best practices with the entire region,” she noted.

Organized jointly by UNECE and UNFPA, the regional conference is taking place in Geneva on 1-2 October. The conference brought together 40 countries and 45 civil society organizations. It aims to strengthen the linkages between ICPD and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and reaffirm commitment to implementing the ICPD Programme of Action in the region.