The SSI «Research Economic Institute of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus» has prepared the Analytical Report «NSDS-2035 in Numbers: Results of the Implementation of Sustainable Development Priorities».
The report includes an analysis of the degree of achievement of indicators characterizing the dynamics of the country’s sustainable development, reflected in the National Sustainable Development Strategy of the Republic of Belarus for the period until 2035.
The analysis is based on the following approaches:
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus published the National Report on the State of the Environment of the Republic of Belarus for 2019 – 2022. The document presents data on the state and trends of climate change, atmospheric air, water resources, land and soil, flora and fauna, waste management and radioactive contamination for the period under review, reflects the features of the impact on the environment of the main types of economic activity, and shows priority areas state environmental policy.
In addition, the environmental bulletin «State of the Natural Environment of Belarus» for 2022 was published. The publication reflects the main results of the regional comprehensive assessment of the state of the natural environment of Belarus for 2022, provides a calculation of the environmental development rating of individual regions of the Republic of Belarus, a set of measures aimed at reducing anthropogenic load is presented, taking into account the best international practices and approaches, as well as a set of measures to improve the effectiveness of the environmental policy.
On December 23, 2023, in order to support innovative business ideas, as well as expand interaction between entrepreneurs and investors of the Republic of Belarus, the UNICORN business forum was held in Mogilev. The forum was organized by the NGO «Investment Club DEKRO» and LLC «DEKRO Consulting».
In total, 13 innovative projects from all regions of the country were presented at the forum. The winner was the project «Production of seed pellets», presented by Denis Mikheev, Ph.D. Associate Professor of the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy, Director of LLC «Technopark «Gorki». The project involves the creation of equipment to increase the sowing potential of seeds by creating an artificial shell on them.
The event program also included master classes on current issues of business development.
Holding the UNICORN business forum will contribute to the achievement by the Republic of Belarus of Sustainable Development Goals 8, 9 and other SDGs.
More detailed information about the forum can be found at the link.
The implementation plan for the implementation of the Strategy of the Republic of Belarus in the field of intellectual property for 2024–2025 was approved by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of December 20, 2023 №906.
The plan includes measures aimed at improving legislation, mechanisms for countering violations and stimulating the creation, legal protection and use of intellectual property, developing an intellectual property management system and institutional system, increasing the level of legal culture and education in the field of intellectual property, etc.
The implementation of measures to improve the intellectual property system makes an important contribution to the innovative and socio-cultural development of Belarus, as well as to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Issues of environmental protection and climate change in the Republic of Belarus are among the key areas of state policy and affect all natural components, ecosystems, economics, healthcare, science, education and other areas.
Ensuring environmental safety, the transition to rational models of production and consumption are enshrined in key strategic documents — the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Belarus for the period until 2035, the Program of Socio-Economic Development for 2021-2025, the National Action Plan for the Development of a «Green» Economy and others strategies, plans and programs.
In recent years, the environmental management system in Belarus has shown its effectiveness. This can be seen in the example of enterprises that are consistently introducing energy-efficient technologies, working to reduce the volume of waste generation and recycling, involving renewable energy sources in the fuel balance, and creating new opportunities for additional employment. A reduction in the discharge of insufficiently treated wastewater into surface water bodies and emissions of pollutants into the air has been observed in the country. Thus, in 2021, Belarus reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 57.8%, which is one and a half more than the commitment made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 from the 1990 level. The level of use of municipal solid waste for the nine months of 2023 in Belarus was 35.5%. The target parameter for the production of primary energy from renewable energy sources has almost been achieved — 9% of the total gross consumption of fuel and energy resources in 2035. Also, electric transport and the corresponding infrastructure, «green» construction, digital transformation of economic sectors is developing in Belarus, the forest area are growing, and swamp ecosystems are being restored.
More detailed information about the climate agenda of Belarus can be found at the link.
On December 12-15, 2023, the II International Youth Forum of the CIS Member States on the Sustainable Development Goals was held in Moscow. The forum brought together about 100 young leaders of the CIS member states who are actively involved in the promotion and implementation of the SDGs in the CIS.
As part of the forum, the SDG Youth Ambassadors told the forum participants about the experience of the Coordination Center «Education for Sustainable Development» of the Belarusian State Pedagogical University. M. Tanka on the implementation of the SDGs among children and youth, the activities and key projects of the SDG Youth Ambassadors in Belarus, studied the forms of work and experience of the CIS countries in the implementation of the SDGs. In addition, the SDG Youth Ambassadors, together with other forum participants, developed project initiatives aimed at achieving the SDGs and put forward proposals for further cooperation in the field of sustainable development in the CIS.
The holding of the International Youth Forum of the CIS Member States on the Sustainable Development Goals contributes to the development of international and interregional cooperation, which makes an important contribution to the implementation of the Agenda for Sustainable Development for the period up to 2030.
On December 20, 2023, a meeting of the Council for Sustainable Development was held in Minsk.
During the Council meeting, participants discussed the results of the work of the Council for Sustainable Development (CSD) in 2023 and the main directions of the SSD activities in 2024, results of activities to implement the 2030 Agenda, improving approaches to monitoring and assessing progress in achieving the SDGs at the national and regional levels, developing the concept of the National Sustainable Development Strategy for the period until 2040, implementation of the Strategy for the development of a circular economy (circular economy) for the period until 2035, the contribution of business to achieving the SDGs.
National Coordinator for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals V.I. Belsky addressed the meeting participants with a welcoming speech. He emphasized that the Republic of Belarus has always been committed to the Sustainable Development Goals and is proud of the results of its work in this area. Activities to implement the 2030 Agenda will continue both in 2024 and in subsequent years.
Erol Arduch acting The UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Belarus, in his welcoming speech, noted the importance of partnership for achieving the SDGs and expressed gratitude for the joint work and productive interaction to the National Coordinator for Achieving the SDGs, members of the Council for Sustainable Development, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. Erol Arduch informed that in 2024, UN agencies together with national partners will work on the creation of a new UN Framework Program for Cooperation in the Field of Sustainable Development.
Today, it can be seen that the process of achieving the SDGs in the world is slowing down, as evidenced, among other things, by the report of the UN Secretary-General on the implementation of the SDGs. At the same time, Belarus is one of the world leaders in promoting the 2030 Agenda. Progress in achieving the SDGs is at the level of 80%.
An important component of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda is interaction with UN agencies in the Republic of Belarus and participation in international events on the SDGs. In 2023, such events will include the Sustainable Development Summit in New York, the Global Forum on Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation in the Implementation of the SDGs in Tashkent, the International Forum in Baku, the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Geneva, etc.
The functioning of the national architecture for managing the process of achieving the SDGs has shown its effectiveness and relevance, and there has been an increase in interest in the work of the CSD from business communities and public organizations. In 2023, 6 meetings of the Council for Sustainable Development were held, in which more than 20 public organizations, business representatives, and international organizations took part. Taking into account the results of the CSD work in 2023 and based on the proposals of interested parties, a draft work plan for 2024 was developed and submitted for approval. The plan provides for the holding of three meetings of the Council, as well as the second National Forum on Sustainable Development (preliminarily on May 23, 2024 in Minsk) and other events.
“Belarus is constantly working to improve the methodological calculations of indicators included in the national list. In 2023, the development of metadata to assess progress towards the SDGs will be fully completed at the global level” — informed the First Deputy Chairman of the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus Kukharevich E.I.
To date, the National List of SDG Indicators consists of 254 indicators, of which 175 correspond to the global list, 79 are proxy indicators. According to the assessment of progress in achieving the SDGs in the Republic of Belarus, the greatest progress is observed in SDGs 1, 5, 6, 7, 10, 13, 15 and 17. Additional efforts are required in such areas as scientific and technical activities, tourism, ecosystem conservation, and attracting foreign investment.
Much attention in Belarus is paid to the development of regions and small territories and their balanced development. In 2023, Belstat completed work on the development of the Regional Data Platform for Sustainable Development, which includes information on all 17 SDGs and 138 indicators for all regions of Belarus. In 2024, work will continue to improve the availability of SDG data.
“In 2023, development of the National Sustainable Development Strategy until 2040 began in Belarus. National strategies are one of the key documents that determine the development path of Belarus for the next 15 years. We have to determine the guidelines for the long-term development of the country and lay the foundation on which other programs will be built” — emphasized the Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Belarus, Brantsevich T.V.
To develop NSDS-2040, an interdepartmental working group under the leadership of the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Belarus, as well as three sectoral working groups, was created, an analytical report on the implementation of NSDS-2035 was prepared, and the first edition of the NSDS-2040 Concept was developed. The strategic goal of NSSD-2040 is to increase the quality of life of the population.
Expected results: increase in healthy life expectancy to 74 years in 2040, increase in the share of the digital economy in GDP to 30% in 2040, including the share of ICT up to 10%, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2040 by 40% of the level 1990. Among the priorities of NSDS-2040 are: conservation of people and strengthening of traditional family values, quality education, technological safety and building an intellectual economy, a competitive and accessible business environment, ensuring environmental safety and resource efficiency.
As part of the implementation of the National Green Economy Action Plan for 2021-2025, a draft Circular Economy Development Strategy for the period until 2035 has been developed in Belarus. The Project highlights such priority areas as eco-design, resource-efficient production, industrial symbiosis, packaging, and the sharing economy. The draft Strategy has already undergone public discussion. The approval procedure is currently underway, after which the project will be submitted for consideration to the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus.
“Our joint efforts will allow current and future generations to live in a comfortable and environmentally friendly environment” — emphasized the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus, Galanov V.A.
The contribution of business to achieving the SDGs is important. The UN Global Compact is the largest initiative that creates a framework for sustainable business. Only 70 countries have a UN Global Compact Network, including Belarus.
Currently, the UN Global Compact Network in Belarus has 31 participants, 5 of which joined in 2023.
Companies are ready to publicly say that they are committed to sustainable development. The degree of fulfillment of obligations is assessed by the rating agency that assigns ESG ratings. Among the first in terms of indicators are banking organizations.
The full recording of the meeting of the Sustainable Development Council in video format is available at the link.
«Belarus is constantly working to improve the methodological calculations of indicators included in the national list. In 2023, the development of metadata to assess progress towards the SDGs will be fully completed at the global level», — informed the First Deputy Chairman of the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus Kukharevich E.I.
«In 2023, development of the National Sustainable Development Strategy until 2040 began in Belarus. National strategies are one of the key documents that determine the development path of Belarus for the next 15 years. We have to determine the guidelines for the long-term development of the country and lay the foundation on which other programs will be built», — emphasized the Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Belarus, Brantsevich T.V.
«Our joint efforts will allow current and future generations to live in a comfortable and environmentally friendly environment», — emphasized the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus, Galanov V.A.
On December 15, 2023, a Festival of innovative ESD practices was held at the Belarusian State Pedagogical University named after Maxim Tank.
The festival was attended by 144 representatives of institutions of higher, general secondary and additional education for children and youth from all regions of the country, SDG Youth Ambassadors, representatives of ministries, the UN and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Belarus.
80 youth socially significant initiatives were presented to participate in the Festival in 5 categories:
The Festival program included an award ceremony for the authors of the best initiatives of the Decade, winners of the «Photo Fact» competition and members of the SDG Volunteer Team, and a series of thematic activities in the context of sustainable development. Also, within the framework of the Festival, a Darmarka of ESD activities was organized and the work of thematic platforms for the development of a series of ESD initiatives dedicated to the International UN Dates, which students will be able to implement in 2024.
More detailed information about the Festival of Innovative ESD Practices 2023 can be found at the link.
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