February 27-28, 2020, Minsk hosted a seminar “Promotion of the Covenant of Mayors in the Eastern Partnership countries”, attended by representatives of government agencies and public organizations of the Eastern Partnership countries.
The seminar participants discussed the role, obligations of the National Coordinators and the structure of support for the Covenant of Mayors, effective information exchange and interaction between them, ways to inform and promote the updated Agreement on Climate and Energy in the region. According to Thomas Stravinskas, Project Coordinator of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Belarus, “Energy efficiency and renewable energy sources are the priorities of the “European Green Course”, which will help Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This initiative is one of the best programmes, as it is rapidly implemented in European cities and Eastern Partnership countries”.
The Covenant of Mayors on Climate and Energy is a European initiative that brings together local, regional and national authorities who have made voluntary commitments to work together to achieve the EU’s climate and energy goals in their territories. The Covenant of Mayors is the world’s largest climate and energy initiative, with more than 10,000 participants representing over 318 million people. The Covenant of Mayors brings together local, regional and national authorities to implement regional policies based on the principles of sustainable energy, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, improving security of energy supply and supporting the global movement to mitigate climate change. The Covenant of Mayors on Climate and Energy contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13. More information about the seminar can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
February 27, 2020, Minsk hosted a round table “Development of circular economy in Belarus – ways to improve approaches to packaging”.
The closed cycle economy (circular economy, circular economy) is the main component of sustainable development and green economy. Once created, value is retained in the economy for as long as possible. The focus is on all phases of the product life cycle: product design, raw material extraction, production, marketing, waste management and use. The implementation of the circular economy is an important contribution to Sustainable Development Goals 8 (decent work and economic growth), 9 (industrialization, innovation and infrastructure) and 12 (responsible consumption and production).
The Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Belarus, Dmitry Matusevich, highlighted the potential of Belarus in the transition to a green and circular economy, the implementation of which could provide Belarus with 12-15% of GDP growth.
The roundtable participants discussed sustainable approaches to packaging consumer goods in the context of the circular economy. Olga Sazonova, Head of the Main Department for Regulation of Waste Management, Biological and Landscape Diversity of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, presented data on the level of municipal waste utilization in Belarus: it does not exceed 22.8%. There is about 280 000 tons of plastics among municipal waste. Senior Researcher of the Department of Natural Resources Management and Green Economy Development of the State Institution “Research Economic Institute of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus” Alexander Shushkevich explained that Belarus has no quality system of accounting and monitoring produced, imported and exported packaging, while the circular economy needs preliminary research and analysis. So far, it is difficult to assess the volume of use of each type of packaging: it is created by different technologies.
Evgeny Lobanov, head of the Center for Environmental Solutions, presented a report on international practices aimed at preventing plastic packaging waste in retail trade, and gave a number of recommendations to change the situation in the Belarusian retail segment.
Dr. Henning Wilts, Head of Circular Economy at the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, drew attention to the importance of strategic vision and holistic approach. For example, products in other packaging can deteriorate more quickly or transport costs and CO2 emissions can increase, while the most important thing in implementing the new system is to reduce the burden on the environment.
Restrictions on disposable plastics are now in place in 127 countries worldwide. The EU countries have adopted a directive according to which the use of certain single-use items will be prohibited from 2021. These include plastic dishes, cotton sticks and sticks for balloons. The production of single-use food containers and cups will be limited, and by 2030 all plastic packaging in the EU market will have to be recyclable. Belarus plans to introduce a deposit system of package. January 1, 2021, a ban on the use and sale of some single-use disposable tableware will come into force.
On 19 February 2020, a round table was held to discuss current issues and problems in combating domestic violence in Belarus. It was attended by representatives of the judicial system, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministries of Education, Labour and Social Protection and public associations.
The possibility of living in a family without violence is an important part of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Ensure gender equality and empower all women and girls). Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but also an essential foundation for achieving peace, prosperity and sustainable development. Unfortunately, according to some estimates, one in five women and girls aged 15-49 experience physical or sexual violence at least once in their lives. According to the UN, 49 countries still lack legislation criminalizing domestic violence.
In Belarus there is a mechanism of interaction between the relevant state bodies and public organizations aimed at protecting against violence, providing support to victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Nevertheless, there are some problematic issues that need to be discussed and resolved. These issues were discussed at the round table in preparation for the forthcoming session of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus in March this year, which will be devoted to the practice of court consideration of administrative offences cases under Article 9.1 of the CAO.
Valery Kalinkovich, First Deputy President of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus, noted that the generalization of court practice in cases of this category had revealed a number of problematic issues related to the topic of domestic violence. It is necessary to consolidate efforts to reduce the number of offences in the sphere of domestic violence and to prevent them.
Dmitry Uloga, Judge of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus, reported on administrative responsibility in the area of domestic violence based on the data of court statistics. According to the speaker, such cases (under Article 9.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences) make up almost 20% of all administrative offences considered by courts and almost 10% of the total court proceedings. Dmitry Uloga noted that more than six years have passed since the legislator included part two in Article 9.1 of the CAO (providing for administrative liability for beatings that did not cause bodily harm, intentional infliction of pain, physical or mental suffering committed against a close relative or family member). In addition, liability for violation of the protective order has been in force for two years. Even today, it is necessary to assess the effectiveness of measures taken by the state to protect the rights of the victims of domestic violence, as well as to discuss the practice of application of these norms and directions for further development of legislation in this area.
Oleg Karazei, Deputy Head of the Main Department of Law Enforcement and Prevention of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, made a presentation on the activities of internal affairs bodies in combating domestic violence. He drew attention to the fact that the topic of counteracting domestic violence is becoming more and more pressing: last year, 110 people died as a result of crimes committed at home, and according to sociological studies, one in three women faces physical violence. A representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs spoke about a set of measures to counter domestic violence. In particular, about the use of such an instrument of legal protection of the victim as a protective order, i.e. placing restrictions on the commission of certain acts by a citizen who has committed domestic violence. Oleg Karazei recalled that the plan for the preparation of draft laws for 2020 includes the development of the law “On amendments to laws on the prevention of offenses,” which will provide significant adjustments to standards to counter domestic violence. It is assumed that the concept of “domestic violence” will be expanded, the competencies of subjects responsible for violence prevention and the coordinating body will be clearly defined.
Ivan Fedchuk, Deputy Head of the Department of Administrative Activity of IABs of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, made a presentation on the issues of qualification of administrative offences related to domestic violence. Evgeniy Khatkevich, Judge of the Minsk City Court, familiarized the participants of the round table with the practice of consideration of cases on administrative offences, provided by part 2 of article 9.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences in the district courts of Minsk.
Aleksei Podvoiski, head of the department for supervision over the implementation of the legislation on minors and youth of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Belarus, told about the problems of prevention of violence in families with minor children.
Marina Artemenko, Deputy Head of the Department of Population, Gender and Family Policy of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus, spoke about the specifics of assistance in the system of social services for victims of violence. Among the main areas of work she mentioned further monitoring of compliance of crisis rooms with the requirements for the content and quality of social services, improvement of legislation with regard to the formalization of interdepartmental cooperation protocols on assistance to victims of domestic violence, strengthening interdepartmental cooperation in forwarding informed consent, including health and education bodies, and awareness-raising work. Ekaterina Maltseva, Director of the Minsk City Centre for Social Services for Family and Children, spoke about the work of the Centre, the organization of interdepartmental cooperation and social and preventive projects. In particular, she spoke about the correctional programme for male aggressors. This is a program for correction of male violent behavior, teaching aggressors the skills of respectful communication, development and enrichment of skills of adequate, constructive behavior, regulation of social relations, formation of adequate self-esteem, training of practical skills to relieve excessive tension and anxiety.
Irina Alkhovka, Chairwoman of the Board of the NGO “Gender Perspectives”, Coordinator of the Sustainable Development Partnership Group on social issues, informed about the results of the hotline for violence victims. She noted that according to the work of the hotline, 94 per cent of calls were made by women. At the same time, spouses are the most frequent aggressors (51 per cent), and sons are aggressors in 13 per cent of cases. One in six callers suffers from their former spouse violence. Among general tendencies in the sphere of domestic violence there is a low level of psychological culture in the society (fear of going to professional psychologists and psychotherapists), a low level of legal culture (ignorance of the law and of one’s rights), an increase in cases of stalking.
Summing up the work of the round table, Valery Kalinkovich once again stressed the urgency of the problem of domestic violence, its diversity and multiplicity, which require a clear interagency cooperation, deep study of the causes of this dangerous social phenomenon, improvement of legislation.
Based on the materials of the press service of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus.
Representatives of Gomel Regional Sustainable Development Group discussed the implementation of Agenda 2030 at the talk show “Main topic” (Gomel Television and Radio Company). The talk show was attended by Andrey Sobko, First Deputy Chairman of the Economy Committee of Gomel Regional Executive Committee, Vadim Bashilov, Deputy Director of Spetskommuntrans, and Gennady Zolotaryov, Chairman of Gomel Regional Public Association “Spinal Disabled”. Dmitry Karpiyevich, the thematic coordinator of the “Sustainable Development of Regions” Support Program for Belarus of Germany, took part in the talk show as an invited expert.
The talk show can be viewed in the youtube channel of the Gomel Television and Radio Company.
The tenth session of the World Urban Forum was held in Abu Dhabi from 8 to 13 February 2020. The topic for this year was “Cities of opportunity: connecting culture and innovation”.
Sustainable development goals were an important part of the Forum, with a separate interactive exhibition space dedicated to them. Sustainable Development Goal 11 aims to create inclusive, safe, viable and sustainable cities and communities. It is a docking point for other purposes, as much of sustainable development can take place in cities and can be accelerated through action in cities.
The World Urban Forum was established in 2001 by the United Nations to address one of the most pressing challenges facing the world today: rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and politics. The Forum, convened by UN-HABITAT, is an open and inclusive high-level platform to address the challenges of sustainable urbanization.
This year’s World Urban Forum was attended by more than 18,000 delegates from 168 countries, including the Republic of Belarus. Alexei Ananich, Deputy Minister of Architecture and Construction of the Republic of Belarus, made a presentation at the forum “On Urban Policy in the Republic of Belarus and Implementation of the New Urban Development Programme”.
You can watch video of the speeches on the Youtube channel of the Forum. The final programme of declared actions adopted by the Forum participants is also available.
Photo: wuf.unhabitat.org
Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Anatoli Isachanka has been appointed to the post of the National Coordinator. The decree of appointment No 52 was signed by Alexander Lukashenko on 13 February.
The Institute of the National Coordinator was established in May 2017 to coordinate the efforts of the Republic of Belarus to achieve Sustainable Development Goals by Presidential Decree No 181 of 25 May 2017 “On the National Coordinator for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals”. The National Coordinator for achieving the SDGs organizes consideration of various aspects of achieving Sustainable Development Goals, makes recommendations on how to improve the process, holds events to promote Sustainable Development Goals and reports annually to the President on progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. The National Coordinator represents Belarus at the international level, reporting on progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Marianna Shchetkina held the position as the National Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals from May 25, 2017 till February 13, 2020.
February, 2 is World Wetlands Day. This year it is held under the motto “Life thrives on wetlands”. Wetlands help preserve fresh water, biodiversity and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The conservation of wetlands contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 13 and 15.
Wetlands are now disappearing faster than any other ecosystem in the world. In the last 50 years, 35% of wetlands have been lost. There are 863,000 hectares of wetlands in or close to their natural state in Belarus. This is about one-third of the area of wetlands before large-scale drainage – and 3,7% of the total area of Belarus. The wetlands are home to 40% of bird species, 35% of insect species and 15% of plant species included in the Red Book. For some wildlife species, Belarusian marshes are critical to global survival.
To draw attention to the importance of wetlands for sustainable development, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat, was adopted in Ramsar on 2 February 1971. Belarus acceded to this Convention in 1999. As of February 2, 2020, there are 2,386 territories in the world included in the list of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar territories) with the total area of 253,771,669 ha. In Belarus, the first Ramsar territory was the Republican Biological Reserve “Sporovsky”, one of the largest habitats of swirling reeds – a globally endangered species. In total, the Ramsar List includes 26 wetlands of the Republic of Belarus, 4 of which are transboundary.
In order to preserve wetlands in Belarus, the Strategy for the Conservation and Rational (Sustainable) Use of Peatlands and the Scheme of Distribution of Peatlands by Areas of Use for the Period until 2030, as well as the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On the Conservation and Use of Peatlands” were developed and adopted.
More information can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.
Video of press-conference on World Wetlands Day
The Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands and the Peatlands Distribution Scheme for the period until 2030
Law of the Republic of Belarus “On Protection and Use of Peatlands”
On 30 January 2020, the results of the sixth round of the multiindicator cluster survey to assess the situation of children and women in Belarus (MICS 6) were presented in Minsk. The event was attended by representatives of the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Ministry of Information and other government bodies and organizations, UN organizations, public organizations and scientific institutions.
The MICS is a global initiative of UNICEF and is one of the largest international household survey programmes. Dozens of questions were answered by more than 8.7 thousand Belarusian families, with special emphasis on those with children under 5 years of age (about 3.4 thousand families). This study allows to characterize the situation of children and women in recent years since the previous MICS rounds, which were held in 2005 and 2012. In addition, the survey provided objective information and monitoring of progress towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (data on 21 SDG indicators). The study presents the following sections:
A separate section of the study is devoted to indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, the following Goals and indicators are analysed.
Goal 1: Eradicate poverty in all its forms everywhere. Estimated indicators: Proportion of the population living in households with access to basic conditions (99%) and Proportion of the population covered by the minimum level/systems of social protection (64%). Goal 3: Ensure a healthy lifestyle and promote well-being for all at all ages. Estimated indicators: Proportion of births attended by skilled health workers (100%), Coverage of basic health services (93-100%), Proportion of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) whose family planning needs are met by modern methods (66 %). Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Estimated indicators: Percentage of children and youth in grades 2-3 who have achieved at least a minimum level of proficiency in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics (81-66 %); Proportion of children under 5 who develop without impairments in health, learning and psychosocial well-being (87 %); Level of participation in organized learning (one year before the official age of school entry) (94 %). Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Estimated indicators: Proportion of women between the ages of 20 and 24 who were married or in union before age 15 and before age 18 (below 1% and 5%). Goal 6: Ensure the availability and sustainable use of water resources and sanitation for all. Estimated indicators: Percentage of population using safe sanitation services (98 per cent). Goal 7: Achieve universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern sources of energy for all. Estimated indicators: Proportion of the population with access to electricity (100%), Proportion of the population using mainly clean fuels and technologies (84%). Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Estimated indicators: Proportion of children aged 5 to 17 years who are engaged in child labour (4 %). Goal 10: Reduce inequalities within and between countries. Estimated indicators: Percentage of people who reported having experienced discrimination or persecution in person in the past 12 months on grounds that discrimination is prohibited under international human rights law (4 % men, 5 % women). Goal 16: Promote a peaceful and open society for sustainable development, ensure access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and participatory institutions at all levels. Estimated indicators: Proportion of people who feel safe walking alone on the street in their neighbourhood (65 % women, 95 % men); Proportion of children aged 1 to 14 years who have experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by their caregivers in the last month (57 %).
The survey was conducted in 2019 by specialists from the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus as part of an international technical assistance project with the financial support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the European Union, the World Bank, the Government of the Russian Federation and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Full presentation can be found at Belstat website.
Goal 1: Eradicate poverty in all its forms everywhere. Estimated indicators: Proportion of the population living in households with access to basic conditions (99%) and Proportion of the population covered by the minimum level/systems of social protection (64%).Goal 3: Ensure a healthy lifestyle and promote well-being for all at all ages. Estimated indicators: Proportion of births attended by skilled health workers (100%), Coverage of basic health services (93-100%), Proportion of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) whose family planning needs are met by modern methods (66 %).Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Estimated indicators: Percentage of children and youth in grades 2-3 who have achieved at least a minimum level of proficiency in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics (81-66 %); Proportion of children under 5 who develop without impairments in health, learning and psychosocial well-being (87 %); Level of participation in organized learning (one year before the official age of school entry) (94 %).Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Estimated indicators: Proportion of women between the ages of 20 and 24 who were married or in union before age 15 and before age 18 (below 1% and 5%).Goal 6: Ensure the availability and sustainable use of water resources and sanitation for all. Estimated indicators: Percentage of population using safe sanitation services (98 per cent).Goal 7: Achieve universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern sources of energy for all. Estimated indicators: Proportion of the population with access to electricity (100%), Proportion of the population using mainly clean fuels and technologies (84%).Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Estimated indicators: Proportion of children aged 5 to 17 years who are engaged in child labour (4 %).Goal 10: Reduce inequalities within and between countries. Estimated indicators: Percentage of people who reported having experienced discrimination or persecution in person in the past 12 months on grounds that discrimination is prohibited under international human rights law (4 % men, 5 % women). Goal 16: Promote a peaceful and open society for sustainable development, ensure access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and participatory institutions at all levels. Estimated indicators: Proportion of people who feel safe walking alone on the street in their neighbourhood (65 % women, 95 % men); Proportion of children aged 1 to 14 years who have experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by their caregivers in the last month (57 %).
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