The Braslav district is more than just a picturesque landscape – it is a place where everyone feels welcome. With support from the Joint Project, accessible tourism has become the norm rather than the exception.
In 2025, 21 pilot initiatives that advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are being implemented across Belarus. Each of these projects is a step toward a society where physical capabilities do not determine one’s chances of living a full and meaningful life.
One such initiative in Braslav emerged from collaboration between the district’s Public Association for Cross-Border Cooperation “Euro-Region Lake District”, Braslav Lakes National Park, and the Republican Association of Wheelchair Users.
The partnership delivered concrete results: 26 tourism specialists received training in creating accessible routes for people with disabilities, including wheelchair users and individuals with visual and hearing impairments.
“Thank you so much for the course! Now I feel more confident and competent in working with this category of guests,” reflected one participant.
The initiative’s centerpiece includes newly developed inclusive tours across Braslav and Polotsk towns, as well as access to the country’s largest music festival, Viva Braslav – because music is for everyone.
To ensure comfort for visitors with limited mobility, Braslav Lakes National Park acquired specialized equipment including pool lifts and electric scooters. A dedicated brochure, developed as part of the SDG pilot initiative, details the park’s inclusive facilities.
The transformation reflects a fundamental shift in approach. “The implementation of our initiative allows people with limited mobility to see and feel that we need them, that we are waiting for them and will create all the conditions within our power for their comfortable stay and recreation in Braslav Lakes National Park,” explains the initiative’s Coordinator Nadezhda Dudarenok. “We are ready to welcome everyone, leaving no one behind.”
This commitment is especially meaningful for the Braslav district, where 1,360 people with disabilities reside, including 162 wheelchair users. For them, the opportunity to explore their native region is not a luxury but a long-awaited reality.
“Only someone who is confined to four walls all the time can understand this – here they were given a vivid picture, an opportunity to see and feel. These emotions are indescribable. It is joy, happiness, confidence that you overcame, that you were helped and not turned away,” says Inna Rupets, a Minsk visitor describing her inclusive tour experience. The transformation also reached Braslav’s town beach. Through an initiative led by the district’s Social Services Centre, the beach has been redesigned for universal access.
Wooden decking and handrails, beach wheelchairs, inclusive changing facilities and accessible toilets have transformed a previously restricted space into a genuinely welcoming public space for people with disabilities, families with pushchairs, and elderly visitors alike.
“A person in a wheelchair cannot simply approach the water, but such initiatives create places where everyone, without exception, can come and connect with nature,” observes local resident Elena Shaputko.
The regional SDG pilot initiatives contribute significantly to localizing sustainable development across Belarus, demonstrating that global progress begins with local partnerships and grassroots action. The projects also provide inspiration and practical models for other regions.
“The SDGs contribute to changing society’s attitude towards people with disabilities,” notes the initiative’s Coordinator Irina Maksimovich, emphasizing that inclusion requires shifts in both mindset and behavior.
Local resident Vadim Pakhomov, who has a first-degree disability, reinforces this perspective: “I believe all people should be equal and have access to recreation. Therefore, despite all obstacles, conditions must be created so that people with disabilities feel comfortable.”
Step by step, the Braslav region demonstrates that accessible tourism transcends sloganeering to become meaningful practice where every guest feels welcome. Here, beside the lakes where sunsets paint the sky, beauty has become truly accessible to all.
The pilot initiatives are implemented with support of the Joint Project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of SDGs”, funded by the Russian Federation.
More about the pilot initiatives on the SDGs via the link.
On September 4, 2025, a training event “Professional satisfaction and safety” was held in Mogilev. This is the fifth event held by the administration of the Mogilev Free Economic Zone as part of the creation of a Competence Center for Labor Productivity.
During the event, representatives of enterprises of the Mogilev region actively analyzed difficult production situations, built effective feedback strategies and learned how to constructively resolve conflicts in production. The participants also discussed the impact of wages, comfortable workplace, atmosphere in the team, leadership style, high-quality information support and other factors on employee satisfaction and loyalty.
The development of the Competence Center for Improving Labor Productivity on the basis of the Mogilev Free Economic Zone is carried out with the support of the UNDP within the framework of the international technical assistance project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of SDGs” funded by the Russian Federation.
The functioning of the Competence Center for Labor Productivity on the basis of the Mogilev Free Economic Zone contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 8, 12 and the other SDGs by the Republic of Belarus.
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The World Health Organization recognizes all deaths before the age of 70 as premature. 8 out of 10 deaths both in the world and in the Republic of Belarus are associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – cardiovascular diseases, oncological diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes.
However, there are effective preventive measures for NCDs. These measures are beyond the competence of medical professionals or only one Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus and relate to the regulation of food sales, urban planning and promotion of physical activity, regulation of tobacco and alcohol trafficking, changing people’s behavior in favor of a healthier lifestyle.
To get new knowledge and skills on the theoretical foundations of public health and public health, as well as to discuss the prevention of NCDs, on August 26-30, 2025, a training “Technologies of public health management in the implementation of a sustainable development strategy” was held at the Belarusian State Medical University.
The training was organized for heads of healthcare organizations with the support of the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus as part of a project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of SDGs” funded by the Government of the Russian Federation.
The pilot initiative “Inclusive Beach” are being implemented by the Territorial Social Service Center of Braslav District with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Republic of Belarus within the framework of the Joint Project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of SDGs” funded by the Government of the Russian Federation.
The implementation of this initiative will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 3, 10, 11 and the other SDGs by the Republic of Belarus.
The pilot initiative “Training visually impaired individuals in adaptive sports: SHOWDOWN” is implemented by the Belarusian Society of the Visually Impaired (NGO) with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Republic of Belarus within the framework of the Joint Project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of SDGs” funded by the Government of the Russian Federation.
Implementation of the initiative’s activities contributes to the socialization of persons with visual disabilities through training in the SHOWDOWN game of table tennis and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 4, 8, 10 and the other SDGs by the Republic of Belarus.
The pilot initiative “Inclusive Animation” is implemented by the Grodno Regional Organization of the Republican Public Association “Belarusian Red Cross Society” with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Republic of Belarus within the framework of the Joint Project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of SDGs” funded by the Russian Federation.
Implementation of the initiative’s activities contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 4, 9, 10 and the other SDGs by the Republic of Belarus.
On August 15, 2025, the Vitebsk Regional Forum on Sustainable Development “Sustainable Development: from concept to Implementation” was held in Orsha, which became a platform for exchanging experiences and demonstrating the achievements of Vitebsk region in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) localization, as well as discussing promising areas for sustainable development in the region.
During the Forum’s plenary session, participants discussed the Regional Sustainable Development Strategy of Vitebsk region for the period up to 2040, reviewed practical examples of the SDGs localization in Vitebsk region, as well as the contribution of citizens and organizations to the process of the SDGs achievement.
The Forum was opened by Deputy Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, National Coordinator for achieving the SDGs Sergey Khomenko. In his welcoming speech, he highlighted that Belarus is demonstrate significant progress in achieving the SDGs and is making every effort to ensure that present and future generations live in a peaceful and developing country.
Chairperson of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies Dmitry Demidov noted the significant efforts of Vitebsk region in promoting the SDGs.He underscored that the SDGs are integrated into the strategic and programming documents of the region, the Vitebsk Regional Group on Sustainable Development has been established, and the achievement of the SDG list indicators is being monitored. Special attention is paid to the involvement of public organizations, business representatives, youth and the public in the implementation of local initiatives aimed at sustainable development. Dmitry Demidov stated that the Forum allows not only to analyze the results achieved, but also to discuss current challenges and promising areas, as well as to develop a common understanding of further steps to strengthen the sustainable development of the region.
The UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Belarus Rasul Baghirov stressed that Belarus is demonstrating steady progress in implementing the UN Sustainable Development Agenda for the period up to 2030.According to the third Voluntary National Review, the SDG achievement rate is 80.5%, that reflects the country’s high degree of commitment to international obligations. Special attention is paid to such areas as poverty and hunger eradication, decent work, infrastructure development, health protection and gender equality. The country has made significant strides in the field of healthcare, including reducing maternal mortality and the availability of high-tech medical care.
In her speech, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Republic of Belarus Renfei Liu, emphasized the special contribution of the UNDP to the development of local entrepreneurship, environmental protection, and strengthening the health and social protection system of Vitebsk region.She noted that the Regional Sustainable Development Strategy of Vitebsk region for the period up to 2040, developed with the support of the UNDP, defines an innovative, environmentally friendly and inclusive future for the region and considers the region as a place where history and traditions are respected, nature is protected, and a high quality of life is provided for all.
In her welcoming speech, the Deputy Representative of UNICEF in the Republic of Belarus Kristin Ganibe said that UNICEF is actively working with Vitebsk region, implementing sustainable initiatives that have great impact and directly benefit children. Among them is the global initiative “Cities friendly to children and adolescents”, which has already been joined by five cities of Vitebsk region (Novopolotsk, Polotsk, Orsha, Braslav and Vitebsk).
The UNFPA Head of Office in the Republic of Belarus Olga Atroshchanka noted in her speech that the activities of the UNPFPA in Vitebsk region are focused on three areas: demographic sustainability, gender equality and ensuring equal rights and opportunities for men and women, and reproductive health.
The Counselor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Belarus Roman Khasiev addressed the participants of the Forum with a welcoming speech. He stressed that the term “sustainable development” is a guideline for creating favorable living conditions for citizens. Relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus are developing within the framework of allied cooperation based on long-standing historical ties and common integration interests. Cooperation covers a wide range of areas, from economics and energy to the humanitarian sphere, and is implemented through the mechanisms of the Union State and other regional platforms.
The key topic of the plenary session was the presentation and discussion of the Regional Sustainable Development Strategy of Vitebsk region for the period up to 2040, developed with the support of the UNDP in the Republic of Belarus. The strategy is a social consensus agreement reflecting the desire of Vitebsk region’s population to live in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.
The Deputy Chairperson of Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Chairperson of Vitebsk Regional Group for Sustainable Development Angelika Nikitina noted that the Strategy, considering regional specifics and competencies, defines key tasks and directions for the further development of Vitebsk region, and the slogan of the Strategy “The future belongs to technology in harmony with nature” is associated with achieving the SDGs.
The main result of the successful implementation of the Strategy will be the preservation and increase of human capital, the real realization of the slogan “Return to your small homeland!”. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to concentrate resources in the most promising areas of economic activity and the cooperation of all stakeholders: government authorities, enterprises in the real sector of the economy, public associations, deputies, and the population.
During the plenary session, organizations of Vitebsk region shared practical examples of SDG localization. Thus, the Chief Technologist and Head of the Technical Department of Vitebsk Carpets Oksana Przhevalskaya presented the experience of implementing ESG to achieve sustainable work results. The educational program for mastering ESG practices and tools based on online learning technologies was presented by the PhD in Economics, Associate Professor of Economics and e-Business at the Higher School of Economics Kristina Kraenkova. The Director of Vikop-Fagus Sergey Ryskov informed about the introduction of the principles of circular economy and resource conservation. The Deputy Chairperson of the Braslav District Executive Committee Elena Babinskaya presented information on the development of inclusive tourism in Braslav district using the example of pilot SDG initiatives implemented in Vitebsk region with the support of the UNDP in the Republic of Belarus.
An important contribution to the sustainable development of Vitebsk region is made by the involvement of citizens in the process of the SDGs localization, including through their implementation of local initiatives. The Executive Director of Vitebsk Regional Association of Local Councils of Deputies Ekaterina Lazovskaya stressed that conditions have been created in Belarus for the self-realization of the personal potential of every citizen and noted the important role of civic initiatives to improve the quality of life. In 2025, the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies received more than 60 such initiatives, 11 of them became winners, including initiatives to provide Sennensky district with clean drinking water, to develop the tourism potential of the Shumilinsky district through the geological monument of nature of national significance “Bolshoy Kamen Boulder”, to develop the tourism potential of the Shumilinsky and Polotsk districts, to create a sport section in Vitebsk “Football on electric wheels”, to develop crafts in the Sharkovshchinsky district and others.
The youth of Vitebsk region also contribute to the SDGs achievement. Ilya Maltsev, Second Secretary of the Vitebsk Regional Committee of the NGO “BRSM”, noted that the NGO “BRSM” is working to involve young people in several areas at once and implements projects aimed at quality education, good health and well-being, decent work, sustainable partnership and others.
The plenary session ended with an awards ceremony for organizations and citizens for their contribution to achieving the SDGs.
After the plenary session, the Forum continued in three sections:
An important part of the event was an exhibition and fair organized at the Forum site, where innovative projects and achievements of Vitebsk region in the fields of ecology, energy efficiency, agriculture and digitalization, tourism, etc. were presented.
The Forum is organized by the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee and the Orsha District Executive Committee with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Republic of Belarus as part of the Joint Project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of SDGs” funded by the Government of the Russian Federation.
This article includes photographic materials from the official website of the editorial office of Arshanskaya Gazeta.
Vitebsk regional executive committee approved the Regional Sustainable Development Strategy of Vitebsk region until 2040.
The strategy reflects the potential, main problems of the region, priorities and practical steps that need to be taken to achieve sustainable development of the area in the medium (2025-2030) and long term (up to 2040). It seeks to achieve a balance in addressing economic, social and environmental issues through the most rational and effective use of available resources and opportunities.
The key success factors of the developed strategy are defined:
The Regional Sustainable Development Strategy of Vitebsk region until 2040 is aimed at localizing the Sustainable Development Goals.
The development of regional sustainable development strategies is carried out with the support of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Belarus within the framework of the Joint Project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of SDGs”, funded by the Russian Federation.
On May 13-15, 2025, training seminars on playing table tennis for the blind “SHOWDOWN” were held in schools in Belarus where children with visual disabilities study. The seminars were held in the Vasilyevichi Special Boarding School for Children with Visual Disabilities, the Special School No. 188 for Children with Visual Disabilities in Minsk, and the Orsha Sports Club.
During the seminars, the students learned the history of the development of SHOWDOWN in the world, studied the rules of the game, got acquainted with sports equipment, received recommendations from the coach and practiced the basic techniques.
On 12 June 2025, a meeting of the Council for Sustainable Development was held in Minsk. The meeting was attended by 111 people (46% women) – members of the Council for Sustainable Development, parliamentarians, representatives of national government bodies, local authorities, public organizations and associations, business, educational institutions, academia, agencies of the UN system, SDG Youth Ambassadors.
The meeting discussed the results achieved by the Republic of Belarus on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda for the period to 2030 (Agenda – 2030), the contribution of UN agencies in the nationalization and localization of the SDGs in Belarus, as well as the development of projects for the voluntary National Review on the implementation by the Republic of Belarus of the 2030 Agenda and the universal periodic review (UPR) of the Republic of Belarus within the framework of the fourth cycle of the UN Human Rights Council.
The meeting of the Council for Sustainable Development was opened by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Head of the Secretariat of the Council for Sustainable Development Igor Secreta. In his welcoming address, he noted that the preparation of a voluntary National Review on the implementation by the Republic of the 2030 Agenda and the UPR is a significant event for the national mechanism of the SDG implementation and provides an opportunity to hear the views of international experts and engage in constructive dialogue on the global stage.
Information on the preparation of the third voluntary National Review of the Republic of Belarus on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda was presented by the National Coordinator for achieving the SDG, Deputy Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Sergey Khomenko. He emphasized the fact that Belarus will present its third voluntary National Review on the SDGs in 2025, as part of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, organized by ECOSOC at the UN headquarters in New York.
“In 2024, the UN Secretariat among 37 states approved the application of Belarus to submit and protect in 2025 a voluntary National Review on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. 4 countries will present the fourth reviews, 23 countries – the third, 11 – the second. For Belarus, the upcoming report will be the third, before that we have twice presented the National Review – in 2017 and 2022,” informed the National Coordinator. “A special focus will be placed on the SDG 3 ‘Good Health and Well-Being’, the SDG 5 ‘Gender Equality’, the SDG 8 ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth’, the SDG 14 ‘Life below Water’, the SDG 17 ‘Partnership for the Goals’.”
Sergey Khomenko drew attention to the fact that when the National Review was presented by the delegation of the Republic of Belarus, the following key topics would be identified:
In addition, Belarus will additionally distribute to the UN the full draft of the third voluntary National Review on the achievement of the all seventeen SDGs set out in the 2030 Agenda, not just the five designated by the UN Secretariat for presentation.
“I am confident that the results of the joint work carried out on the preparation and protection of the third National Review will be used in the future by those interested in their activities as part of participation in international events and will serve as a good guideline for improving the functioning of the national mechanism for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in our country,” said the National SDG Coordinator.
The Deputy Chairperson of the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus, Head of the intersectoral group for monitoring and evaluation of the SDGs of the Council for Sustainable Development Alexey Yarkovets presented information on the progress of achieving the SDGs in the Republic of Belarus at the national and regional levels.He noted the special contribution of the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus to monitoring and evaluating the achievement of the SDGs in our country from the very beginning of the 2030 Agenda and emphasized the highest level of harmonization of the National and Global Lists of SDGs in the European region.
“In Belarus, the level of harmonization of the National and Global Lists of SDGs is the highest in the European region and amounts to more than 70%. The current National System of Indicators for SDGs monitoring includes both a National List of indicators and a Regional one. The National List includes 246 indicators, of which 174 correspond to Global ones, and 72 reflect national characteristics and development priorities. The Regional List includes 138 indicators, including 78 indicators that correspond to the National List, and 60 reflect the specifics of regional development. The level of harmonization of regional and national lists is about 60%,” informed the Deputy Chairperson of the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus.
An important stage in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda is the assessment of countries’ progress towards achieving the SDGs, according to which 80.5% of the SDG indicators demonstrated progress and high results in Belarus. Among the areas requiring additional efforts are attracting foreign investment, developing the tourism sector, environmentally sound use of resources, and climate conservation. Alexey Yarkovets also said that in 2025, a comprehensive assessment of progress in achieving the SDGs for the period 2015-2024 will be carried out.
The Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Belarus, Head of the Intersectoral Group on Economics of the Council for Sustainable Development Elena Boligatova informed about the progress of achieving the SDGs in the Republic of Belarus in the economic direction and localization of the SDGs, as well as about the National Strategy for Sustainable Development for the period up to 2040 (NSSD-2040).
In her speech, she noted the effectively built national system for achieving the SDGs, which is confirmed by high international ratings and ratings, as well as the results of the economy. By the end of 2024, 4 of the 5 most important parameters of the country’s development were fulfilled (GDP, inflation, investments in fixed assets, and household incomes). The GDP growth rate in 2024 was 104%, which is higher than the global average. The growth rate of investments in fixed assets is 108%. In the world ranking of industrial competitiveness, Belarus ranks 58th among 153 countries. The growth of real incomes of the population amounted to 109.7%, real wages – 113.1%, interregional differentiation decreased to 1.6 times. The country has an extremely low level of low–income population – 3.5%, unemployment is at a record low of 3.0%, and the employment rate is 84%.
To consolidate the results achieved and define tasks for further SDG achievement, in 2025 the NSSD – 2040 was approved, the conceptual basis of which is a person and a high standard of living.
“Our task is to build an exemplary image of Belarus, where people are the main value with the opportunity for self–realization, and our country is a territory with a developed technological and digital industry, an environment for comfortable business and living, an intelligent and environmentally responsible country,” said the Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Belarus.
The NSSD – 2040 is the foundation for the Socio-economic Development Program for 2026-2030, which, in turn, specifies the directions and ways of sustainable development of the country. In particular, the Program includes such areas as human development, the creation of new standards of quality of life, the development of the service sector, digitalization and technological self-sufficiency, the development of tourism, ensuring the uniqueness of each region, ecology and rational use of natural resources.
The First Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus, Head of the Intersectoral Group on Social Issues of the Council for Sustainable Development Tatiana Astreiko provided information on the progress of achieving the SDGs in the Republic of Belarus in the social area, underlining that “Belarus demonstrates the social orientation of its policy not in words, but in deeds”.
Thus, in Belarus, real incomes of the population have increased and the purchasing power of all types of monetary incomes of the population has been preserved (wages (119.4%), pensions (115.9%), benefits (119.3%), the share of citizens at risk of poverty has decreased (3.5%), record low unemployment rate (3.0%) has been achieved, including among young people (5.9%), a high level of employment of the able-bodied population (84%) has been achieved.
The country has an effective organization of medical care, as evidenced by a decrease in the incidence of HIV infection, the birth rate among adolescent girls, the proportion of the smoking population, the infant mortality rate to 2.9 ppm, as well as an increase of the level of vaccination against major infections to 98%. Belarus ranks 40th out of 180 countries in the ranking of the best countries in the world for childbirth.
The country has achieved high results in improving the status of women: the employment rate of women of working age is 84.8%, the proportion of employed women with higher education is 41.5%, every second head is a woman, the representation of women in entrepreneurship is 36.4%, the proportion of women in Parliament is 35.6%.
Special attention in the country is paid to creating conditions for persons with disabilities: the domestic rehabilitation industry, artistic creativity, physical culture and sports among persons with disabilities are developing, and public awareness of the main problems and available solutions are improving. As of January 1, 2025, 22% of social and transport infrastructure facilities are fully accessible to persons with disabilities.
Tatiana Astreiko emphasized: “In our country, SDG indicators are not just indicators. These are real mechanisms integrated into strategic planning documents, where a person is at the center of state interests, where commitment to the sustainable development of the social sphere, regardless of challenges, has become a national brand.”
The Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus, member of the Council for Sustainable Development, Head of the intersectoral group on ecology of the Council for Sustainable Development Viktor Galanov presented information on the progress of achieving the SDGs in the Republic of Belarus in the environmental area. He noted that environmental protection in the Republic of Belarus is one of the priorities of state policy, which addresses a range of tasks, including conservation of water resources, improvement of atmospheric air quality, recover of natural ecosystems and biological diversity, as well as the efficient use of waste.
“The implementation of these tasks contributes to the achievement of the environmental Goals of sustainable development, in particular, the six key ones (SDG 6, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 14, SDG 15),” Viktor Galanov said.
Significant progress has been made in Belarus within the framework of these SDGs. Almost the entire population of the country is provided with basic sanitary and hygienic conditions, and more than 99% of domestic and industrial wastewater is safely treated. The republic has implemented the principle of basin water resources management, according to which by 2030 at least 85% of surface water objects will have an ecological status of ‘good’ or higher.
As part of the implementation of international obligations under the Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the country in 2023 compared to 1990 amounted to 40.2%. Work is currently underway on developing a new target for 2035, which will be announced by the end of 2025.
The country is actively implementing public policy measures aimed at integration of the principles of a green and circular economy. The level of municipal solid waste use was almost 40% in 2024, and the level of industrial waste use was about 90% (excluding large-scale waste). About 10% of enterprises apply the principles of a closed-loop economy.
Viktor Galanov also said that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus is currently developing a draft Environmental Code. It will become an important tool for implementing the concept of sustainable development, providing a legal and regulatory framework for environmental protection and the rational use of natural resources.
The SDG 17 Youth Ambassador, a student of BSU Yegor Yavorets spoke about the participation of Belarusian youth in the implementation of the SDGs, emphasizing the contribution of the SDG Youth Ambassadors to the promotion of the Sustainable Development Goals.
“As part of their activities, the SDG Youth Ambassadors of the fourth convocation, with comprehensive support, have already implemented a number of international, national, regional and local projects aimed at raising citizens’ awareness of the SDGs and involving the public in the process of achieving the SDGs,” said Yegor Yavorets.
Among the most significant implemented projects: the project for students “Sustainable University”, the interactive quest in the student village “SDG Movement”, the environmental event “Clean Games”, the project for schoolchildren “Sustainable Summer”, the international student forum “VuzEkoFest”, the international SDG forum in the Zubrenok, the international volunteer SDG forum in Gomel.
In addition, SDG Youth Ambassadors and their alternates actively participate in international forums and programs. These include the Contest of Young International Experts from the CIS member states, the Summit of Unlimited Opportunities in Samarkand, the II Global Youth Festival of Digital Green Initiatives in Uzbekistan, the Youth Forum of the Non-Aligned Movement on Combating Climate Change in Azerbaijan, the Capacity Building Program for COP29, the Baikal Youth Forum, the Territory of Meanings Forum, the All-Russian Youth Educational Forum “NOISE”, the International Forum of Civic Engagement #WeAreTogether, the School of Allied Leaders, etc.
The Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of the UN Global Compact Network in the Republic of Belarus, Chairperson of the Management Board of BSB BANK CJSC Sergey Dubkov made a presentation on the participation of the private sector in achieving the SDGs. He said that the UN Global Compact Network is the mechanism that allows integrating sustainable development approaches into the work of enterprises to achieve the SDGs for creating a better world.
The network includes 167 countries, 62 of which have a local network and the Republic of Belarus among them. The main mission of the local network is to promote corporate sustainability and the importance of socially responsible business at the national level and to integrate this activity into the global context.
To date, the UN Global Compact Network in Belarus is a hosting organization and has 30 participants, 7 of whom joined in 2024-2025, and 7 more organizations are waiting for confirmation of the application. The UN Global Compact Network actively participated in the development of the NSSD – 2040, in the launch of the advanced training program “Promising Areas of ESG Transformation of the Economy” for senior executives, in conducting training programs on business transparency, gender equality, innovation, etc.
UN agencies actively contribute to the nationalization and localization of the SDGs in the Republic of Belarus, facilitating their integration into national strategies and plans, providing technical and expert support, raising public awareness of the importance of the SDGs, strengthening the institutional framework and developing local initiatives aimed at sustainable development.
The UN country team in Belarus is currently implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Belarus for 2021-2025.
The UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Belarus Rasul Baghirov highlighted in his speech the high results of the Republic of Belarus in achieving the SDGs and announced the completion of the third program cycle, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Belarus for 2021-2025.20 UN agencies contribute to the implementation of the program, and support has amounted to more than 70 million US dollars over the past 4 years. He also informed about the development of a new Framework for 2026-2030. The draft document, which considers the priorities of the NSSD–2040, has been submitted for consideration by stakeholders and includes 4 strategic areas: human development and well-being for all, inclusive and sustainable economic transformation, a clean environment for human, and institutional foundations for peace and development. Rasul Baghirov confirmed the commitment of the United Nations to further comprehensive cooperation with the Republic of Belarus in the interests of sustainable development.
The Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in the Republic of Belarus Armen Martirosyan noted the consistency of the Republic of Belarus in implementing the 2030 Agenda and the desire to share successes, as evidenced by the preparation of the third National Review.Belarus has a unique National Architecture for managing the process of achieving the SDGs, which allows us to consider the country as a platform for the exchange of experience. In turn, UNDP, as an integration platform, supports the country in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and contributes to the achievement of the SDGs in such priority areas as economic development based on the principles of green and inclusive growth (development of plans and strategies for a green, circular economy, implementation of ESG, adaptation of vocational education to new market requirements, etc.), implementation of measures to mitigate the effects of climate change and adaptation to them (development of strategies and plans for adaptation to climate change, ONUV 3.0, climate education, etc.), formation of an inclusive and effective digital environment (assessment of Belarus’ readiness for digital transformation and the introduction of artificial intelligence, preparation of digital partnership maps within the EAEU, SCO, BRICS, implementation of the smart city concept, etc.), empowering vulnerable groups of the population to fully participation in socio-economic life (support in the implementation of national action plans for achieving gender equality and the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, assistance in strengthening the health system, overcoming stigma and discrimination against vulnerable groups, etc.).
Armen Martirosyan Emphasized that these areas will remain relevant in the future five-year plan within the Country Programme for 2026-2030. A special role is given to SDG financing issues, including Belarus’ support in developing national development financing mechanisms. He confirmed the UNDP readiness to provide the Republic of Belarus with international expertise and technical support on this issue and assured that UNDP remains a reliable partner in creating effective strategies, supporting innovation and strengthening international cooperation.
The UNICEF Representative in the Republic of Belarus Rustam Haydarov underscored that UNICEF supports Belarus’ efforts to ensure not only quantitative but also qualitative progress on the SDGs in order to realize the rights of the child.The focus of the work is on the most vulnerable groups, including children with special mental and physical development and disabilities, children facing various deprivations, children in conflict with the law and young children.
UNICEF Supports the improvement of the nutrition system for the most vulnerable children with disabilities, strengthens and develops Early intervention and Adolescent-friendly Centers, promotes better access and fuller inclusion of children with disabilities and special educational needs in the general education system, and cooperates with all stakeholders to help protect children from all forms of violence. In 2025, together with the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus, UNICEF is conducting a Multi-indicator Cluster Survey to assess the Situation of Children and women (MICS) based on 21 SDG indicators. The UNICEF Representative in the Republic of Belarus noted that this support will be continued within the framework of the UNICEF Country Programme for 2026-2030.
The UNFPA Head of Office in the Republic of Belarus Olga Atroshchanka drew attention to the strengthening of the focus of work in the field of reproductive health over the past 6 months with an additional focus on demographic sustainability.Among the activities of UNFPA for 2024-2025 is the development of a course for 40+ “Compass of the future”, methodologies of gender expertise of normative legal acts, support for statistical research, strengthening the evidence base in the field of HIV prevention, preparation for the II International Summer School on Applied Demography and the II International Forum on Healthy and Active Longevity, development of the course “Population and Development”, preparations for the opening of three “Orange Safe Spaces”, improving the digital literacy of persons 65+ and persons with disabilities, holding seminars for general practitioners and youth, scaling up a “Parent-friendly Company”, developing materials in a clear language.
Olga Atroshchanka emphasized that UNFPA does not stop working to support elderly persons, prevent cognitive impairment, promote clear language, use innovations, especially in terms of preparing for parenthood, and promote human papillomavirus vaccination. This work will be continued as part of the new Country Programme for 2026-2030.
The WHO Representative/Head of the WHO Country Office in Belarus Sergei Diorditsa noted that the focus of WHO’s activities in Belarus on the localization of the SDGs is aimed at combating noncommunicable diseases, which are the leading cause of death, accounting for more than 80% of all deaths and disabilities in the Republic of Belarus.WHO supported the STEPS study of risk factors and prepared the Best Buys report with recommendations on reducing the prevalence of risk factors, provides training for healthcare managers, develops videos and information materials as part of the Electronic Patient Atlas, and supports the Healthy Cities and Towns contest. These activities will be continued by WHO in the Country Programme of the next program cycle.
The Chief of Mission of IOM in Belarus Mahym Orazmuhammedova noted the special role of migration in the socio–economic and demographic development of the country.She emphasized the importance of promoting safe, orderly and regular migration to achieve the SDGs. She said that the IOM in Belarus, in partnership with other stakeholders, supports the implementation of programs to strengthen the monitoring, assessment and reporting of the SDGs related to migration, and the assessment of the migration management system using the MMI (Migration Management Indicators) methodology, as well as the implementation of measures and programs on labor migration, combating human trafficking, supporting vulnerable migrants, and protecting the health of migrants. IOM’s partnership with Belarus will continue as part of a new program cycle.
The Legal Services Consultant and Contractor at the UNHCR Office in Belarus Timofey Solodkov noted that the focus of UNHCR’s work is gradually shifting to sustainable response measures to enable the accelerated integration of protected persons into society.The main areas of activity include sustainable response measures (language training, employment assistance, small grants), direct assistance to refugees and stateless persons (legal advice, financial support, translations), supporting and improving the asylum system in Belarus (vocational training and education, technical assistance, legislation, transfers), assessing the situation and needs of refugees. UNHCR will continue these activities in cooperation with interested government agencies of the Republic of Belarus in the new program cycle.
In accordance with UN General Assembly resolution 60/251, the UN Human Rights Council was established in 2006 as a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly, the main innovation of which was the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The UPR process is not legally binding for States.
The Head of the Main Department of Multilateral Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Irina Velichko stressed: “Belarus considers the UPR as the most important instrument of international cooperation in the field of human rights, which ensures that the human rights situation in all countries of the world, without exception, is considered on the basis of universality and equality.”
For the UPR process, the state prepares a national report, the UPR Working Group reviews a compilation of UN information, which includes conclusions from treaty bodies, reports from special procedures, materials from the UN country team working in Belarus, as well as an alternative report from civil society organizations. Based on the results of the defense of the report, a report of the Working Group will be prepared, which will reflect the recommendations made to the state.
Belarus has already passed three cycles of the UPR in 2010, 2015, 2020. During the third cycle of the UPR, 92 States took part in Belarus. As a result, 284 recommendations were made, of which 159 were fully accepted and 18 were partially accepted. The fourth cycle will be held on November 3, 2025, in Geneva during the 50th session of the UPR Working Group within the framework of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Irina Velichko reported that the draft of the fourth Universal Periodic Review is currently in the final stage of development. It includes legislative innovations, as well as socio-political and socio-economic changes in the country aimed at ensuring the rights of Belarusian citizens in a high-quality manner. All information in the report is grouped into thematic sections, including a methodology that reveals the format of the report, the normative and institutional framework for the promotion and protection of human rights, and the promotion and protection of human rights in practice.
The UN Human Rights Officer (Geneva, Switzerland) Claudia de la Fuente emphasized the spirit of cooperation and mutual responsibility in reviewing the human rights situation in each UN Member State within the UPR prosses.The UPR is not just a reporting obligation, it is a platform for dialogue, transparency and transformation that encourages States to reflect on their progress and challenges in the field of human rights and formulate strategies for improvement.
In the current UPR cycle, much attention will be paid to the implementation of accepted recommendations. Claudia de la Fuente stressed that one of the most effective ways to implement the UPR recommendations is to develop a National Human Rights Action Plan, calling on Belarus to consider the possibility of developing a new National Action Plan with the support of OHCHR. The UN Human Rights Officer also drew attention to the close relationship between the UPR process, the Voluntary National Review and the 2030 Agenda.
The Chairperson of the Belarusian Union of Women Olga Shpilevskaya confirmed that the implementation of women’s rights and the promotion of gender equality principles integrated seamlessly into the 2030 Agenda.
“The Republic of Belarus consistently implements its international obligations in the field of women’s rights and gender equality. Our country was one of the first to join the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and has been demonstrating steady progress in this area for over 40 years,” noted Olga Shpilevskaya.
The Republic of Belarus ranks 27th out of 172 countries in the Gender Inequality Index, 55th out of 146 countries in the Gender Gap Index, and among the top 25 countries in the rating of comfortable conditions for motherhood.
At the end of the meeting, the SDG National Coordinator thanked all participants for their informative presentations, as well as their contribution to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and underscored that Belarus is making every effort to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for present and future generations.
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