Speech by the National Coordinator for Achieving the SDGs at the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development
Dear Mr. Chairperson!
We are all different and every people, every country has the right to choose its own path of development.
The Republic of Belarus, a country of workers and creators, has chosen its path. It is based on the preservation of historical memory, peaceful coexistence, state sovereignty, development of technologies, unity of representatives of more than one hundred and fifty nations and nationalities, twenty-five religious confessions.
To the realization of these principles are committed all branches of government and our unique authority of people’s power – the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly.
The result of this policy is Belarus’ 30th place in the world in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
We achieved four of them prematurely. Among them:
- No poverty (SDG 1);
- Clean water and sanitation (SDG 6);
- Reduced inequalities (SDG 10);
- Life on land (SDG 15).
Belarus is a socially oriented state for the individual and in the name of the individual.
Forty-three percent of the country’s budget is spent on social services and the unemployment rate is only three percent.
We built a nuclear power plant, joined the club of space powers.
Ready to share experiences and demonstrate our achievements. Visa-free entry for citizens from one hundred and one countries of the world is provided to the territory of Belarus.
As the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko, wisely noted:
“We are looking beyond the horizon. We do everything, so that our children and grandchildren, and then their children, and grandchildren live in their peaceful and prosperous state.”
In this context, a draft National Development Strategy until the fortieth year has been prepared, which envisages the achievement of high standards of living for the population. We plan to increase the percentage of high-tech industries to fifty percent and life expectancy to eighty and a half years.
Dear participants!
On the path towards achieving these goals, we see threats and challenges to sustainable development.
The world today is in a deep geopolitical crisis. There are numerous armed conflicts, attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of other States, and the imposition of illegal sanctions.
Examples?
Here they are!
Thousands of NATO armed forces on the borders of Belarus. Answer what is their purpose?
Unilateral coercive measures, simply called, sanctions, are a serious threat. And these barriers are being applied by countries that are signed the 2030 Agenda.
I will allow myself to remind you of the philosophical wisdom: you gave your word – keep it, to break it is despicable. Think about what those who, having signed the 2030 Agenda, impose sanctions do.
We, Belarusians, who have been subjected to information and sanctions pressure for a third of a century, have hardened ourselves and strive to make the world better.
Dear participants!
At the end of my speech, I have the honor to congratulate the attendees on the 80th anniversary of the Victory over fascism.
Belarus has suffered the horrors of war like no one else. I think each of us realizes that the same horror must not be repeated. We call on the international community to unitedly support the peaceful resolution of any issues and to join efforts for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for the well-being of our countries and peoples.
Thank you for the attention!