Belarus met five out of eight UN Millennium Development Goals ahead of schedule, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dmitry Mironchik told a press briefing, BelTA has learned. In his words, the work is still underway to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability; develop a global partnership for development. According to the spokesman, Belarus takes an active part in international development efforts. Belarusian representatives have contributed a lot to the elaboration of the Sustainable Development Goals in 17 oblasts which the participants of the UN 2015 summit are set to approve in New York in September. As part of this work the Belarusian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Valentin Rybakov will take part in the final July round of preparatory consultations. The participants of the consultations are set to coordinate the draft final document in order to submit it to the heads of state and government that are to take part in the UN Summit to adopt the post-2015 development agenda. “Belarus backs the full implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals and the expansion of the UN development agenda with new thematic areas. The implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals will help address the current social problems and improve living conditions without damaging the economic growth and environment,” Dmitry Mironchik said. In this connection, Belarus attaches priority to such areas as the sustainable industrial development, including for middle-income countries (such as Belarus), more active promotion of renewable energy, giving the countries access to green technologies, and improving the water resource management. Dmitry Mironchik reported that on 27-31 July the UN headquarters is hosting the negotiations on the preparations for the UN Summit on Development, which is due on 25-27 September. The UN Summit-2015 will sum up the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted by the heads of state in 2000. The summit will also endorse the new international development agenda listing the goals of sustainable development and the main areas of international cooperation for the next fifteen years. During the consultations Belarus' delegation headed by Valentin Rybakov will continue to promote Belarusian initiatives and ideas regarding the important role of the traditional family in achieving sustainable development and regarding the need to revitalize multilateral efforts to combat trafficking in human beings.
Written by belta.by
