24 April 2025
On April 24, 2025, the thematic meeting of the Council for Sustainable Development dedicated to the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day was held in Minsk.
The meeting brought together 101 people (32% women) to discuss the socio-economic development and recovery of the regions affected by the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) disaster, transformation of approaches to nuclear and radiation safety, medical consequences of the disaster and other issues.
Before the meeting, the participants of the Council for Sustainable Development, together with the diplomatic corps accredited in the Republic of Belarus, honored the memory of the Chernobyl accident liquidation participants and took part in the ceremony of laying flowers at the memorial signs “Achyaram Charnobyl” and “Hiroshima Peace Stone” in the Park of Peoples Friendship in Minsk.
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The meeting of the Council for Sustainable Development was opened by the National Coordinator for Achieving the SDGs, Deputy Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Sergei Khomenko. In his welcoming remarks, he noted that Belarus had borne the heaviest blow of the Chernobyl catastrophe. Almost a quarter of the country’s territory, where a fifth of the country’s population lives, has become a zone of radioactive contamination. Sergei Khomenko emphasized the contribution of the state, international partners, including the UN system, to the recovery and development of the affected regions, health rehabilitation of the population.
“The people of Belarus did not stand alone in the face of this tragedy. International solidarity around Chernobyl was the best example of people’s diplomacy and truly engaged international cooperation,” noted the National Coordinator. “We appreciate the contribution of the international community, including the UN system, to the recovery and development of the affected regions. We are also appreciative of those foreign countries that have helped in the rehabilitation of Belarusian children affected by the Chernobyl tragedy. Large-scale projects of “Chernobyl” orientation have been implemented within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.”
Sergei Khomenko said that the results of large-scale work in overcoming the consequences of the man-made disaster were a unique 39-year scientific and practical experience in medicine and ecology, emergency preparedness, production of clean products, reclamation of land and forests. He expressed willingness to further cooperate to achieve sustainable development.
“The Republic of Belarus is open to joining efforts with all interested partners to minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster based on the principles of equality, mutual respect. Therefore, we see today’s event as a contribution of the Council for Sustainable Development to work towards the integrated realization of the Sustainable Development Goals,” said the National Coordinator.
In his welcoming speech, the First Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Igor Petrishenko emphasized the efforts of Belarus to develop the regions affected by the Chernobyl disaster, as well as the tremendous experience and competencies in various fields gained during the elimination of radioactive contamination.
“Due to the whole set of measures taken, Belarus has managed to cope with the consequences of the man-made disaster in general and to start the revival of the Chernobyl territories. Statistics confirms sustainable positive trends in the socio-economic development of all 47 regions of Belarus affected by the Chernobyl accident. Thus, according to the data as of the end of 2024, most affected regions operate profitably and ensure the growth of production in industry and agriculture,” noted the CIS Deputy Secretary General.
Igor Petrishenko expressed confidence that the leaders of the CIS countries had drawn the right conclusions from the lesson that history had taught in April 1986, and the new “Chernobyl” would never be repeated.
The Minister of Energy of the Republic of Belarus Denis Moroz, in his welcoming speech noted that Belarus managed to ensure a high level of safety of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant (BelNPP) and emphasized its crucial role in strengthening the energy sovereignty of the country.
“Considering the tragedy that occurred at ChNPP, our country has taken all necessary measures to ensure a high level of safety of the plant. Over the years of implementation of the national nuclear power program, serious steps have been made towards the formation of the nuclear and radiation safety system and its most important elements, including the creation of an appropriate regulatory and legal framework, building and functioning of the protection and response system, personnel training, interaction on a systematic basis with leading international organizations,” said the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Belarus.
Today, due to the construction and launch of BelNPP, Belarus has completely refused to import electricity. Reduced dependence on imported natural gas. The plant operates two power units at nominal capacity and provides more than 40% of the country’s domestic electricity needs. Additional opportunities have been created for the development of energy-intensive industries and electric transportation. Work is underway to convert the housing stock to electric heating.
Denis Moroz said that the BelNPP makes it possible to prevent over 7 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere annually, and the peaceful Belarusian atom provides serious competitive advantages not only for the power industry, but also for related industries, which contributes to the sustainable development of the Republic of Belarus.
“These are the growth points that ensure economic growth and innovative development of the country, ensuring its sustainable development,” said the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Belarus. “The Ministry of Energy, in its turn, ensures the operation of BelNPP at the highest, safe level, which is also confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency.”
The welcoming speech was made by the Deputy Minister for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus Sergei Salanovich. He emphasized the strong commitment of the Republic of Belarus to the principles of sustainable development, which was impossible without reducing the risk of emergencies.
“The accident at the Chernobyl NPP had a significant impact on the formation and development of the state system of prevention and elimination of emergency situations in the Republic of Belarus,” said Sergei Salanovich. “Throughout the time since the accident, the Republic of Belarus has been step by step recovering life in the affected territories, having made a difficult path from the elimination of the emergency situation to the revival and sustainable socio-economic development of the affected regions.”
The Deputy Minister for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus also noted the contribution of international cooperation in overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster: the UN agencies, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, the Swiss Confederation, the Italian Republic, the Union State. He also emphasized the importance of considering the lesson of the Chernobyl NPP in the future, inter-institutional interaction, exchange of experience, development of cooperation for building a sustainable future, for which the Council for Sustainable Development also serves as a platform.
“Chernobyl” is not just a date on the calendar. It is a deep, painful lesson that showed how fragile and at the same time interconnected the system of life is: nature, technology, and man. We have no right to forget this lesson, because it is from such events that responsibility to ourselves, to future generations, to the planet is born,” said Sergei Salanovich.
The UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Belarus Rasul Bagirov said in his welcoming speech that the United Nations puts the human being, his life, well-being and development at the center of its work. This principle is also reflected in the context of comprehending the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.
“Chernobyl” is the story of people, those who died, lost their homes, personal lives. The main thing is to preserve and not to betray the memory of these people and pass it on to future generations, as well as to do everything possible to ensure that such a thing does not happen again,” said Rasul Bagirov.
The UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Belarus noted that the UN Country Team provides environmental, economic and social support to the Chernobyl-affected regions. This work will be continued within the framework of the Framework Program of Cooperation between the UN and the Republic of Belarus in the field of sustainable development for 2026–2030.
The welcoming speech was made by the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Republic of Belarus Renfei Liu.
“In 2006, UNDP assumed responsibility for UN coordination on the Chernobyl disaster. Twenty years later, “Chernobyl” is not just a story, but proof of resilience, partnership and progress. And UNDP has supported affected communities, national partners and local enterprises in emergencies during the recovery period and now in the growth process,” said Renfei Liu.
The UNDP Resident Representative in the Republic of Belarus noted the UNDP contribution to the implementation of more than 200 programs and projects in the areas of health care, economic development, education, social inclusion, and environmental protection. Another important area of work is the assistance provided by the UNDP to the Gomel and Mogilev Regional Executive Committees in developing (updating) regional sustainable development strategies for the period up to 2040, considering the sustainable development of the regions affected by the Chernobyl disaster.
Presenting plans, Renfei Liu noted the implementation of 11 pilot initiatives on the SDG in Gomel and Mogilev regions with UNDP assistance in 2025, as well as the launch of two new projects with the support of the People’s Republic of China: fire prevention in the Chernobyl zone and the establishment of the Interdistrict Medical Center in Mozyr. Renfei Liu also emphasized that the regions affected by the Chernobyl disaster have always been and will remain the focus of UNDP’s efforts in the 2026–2030 Country Program.
More than three decades have passed since the Chernobyl disaster, the consequences of which forever changed the fates of millions of people and the landscape of the Republic of Belarus. Throughout these years, the country’s enormous efforts were aimed at minimizing the consequences of the disaster, recovering the territories and supporting the population. Large-scale social protection, medical care and environmental recovery programs have been implemented.
Although parts of Belarus may never be habitable, the focus of most of the affected areas has already shifted from dealing with the consequences of the accident to creating conditions for sustainable economic growth, improving the quality of life and unlocking potential.
Among the territories most affected by the disaster was Mogilev region. At present, 14 districts out of 23 in Mogilev region are exposed to radioactive contamination in different degrees (Belynichy, Bobruisk, Bykhov, Kirov, Klimovichi, Klichev, Kostyukovichi, Krasnopolsky, Krichevsky, Mogilev, Mstislavl, Slavgorod, Chausk, Cherikovskyi). The most polluted are 5 districts – Bykhov, Kostyukovichi, Krasnopolsky, Slavgorod and Cherikov.
The Chairperson of the Committee of Economy of the Mogilev Regional Executive Committee Alexander Voropaev said: “The recovery and sustainable development of such areas, both at the national level and in the Mogilev region, is a priority task. This is confirmed by the results of the implementation of the State Program on overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl NPP catastrophe. For the last 14 years about 750 million rubles have been allocated from the republican and local budgets for the implementation of the program activities in Mogilev region”.
Priority areas for these activities include:
Only for the period from 2011 to 2024 in the Mogilev region significant works on construction and modernization of livestock facilities in agricultural organizations of the affected areas were carried out, about 4.5 thousand decontamination and waste disposal facilities were dismantled, about 3.7 thousand residential houses (apartments) were gasified, more than 38 km of water supply networks, 25 water deferrization stations, 5 artesian wells were built and put into operation, more than 44 km of highways were put into full operation, hospitals, clinics and schools were built and reconstructed.
In addition, annually more than 4 thousand people of Mogilev region, who have the status of a victim of the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe, receive benefits and compensations (increased childcare allowances and pensions for age, disability, etc.). 100% coverage by sanatorium-resort treatment of children living and studying in radionuclide-contaminated territories is ensured. About 9,000 students of general education institutions located in the contaminated area receive free meals.
Undoubtedly, the implementation of land rehabilitation programs, agricultural support, infrastructure development, and social initiatives all contribute to the recovery of the affected areas and their sustainable development in the future. However, in the context of modern challenges, such as climate change, technological development and global threats, the need for further monitoring of the radiation situation, as well as adaptation of existing approaches to nuclear and radiation safety remains relevant.
The Head of the Department of Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus Olga Lugovskaya said that Belarus has an effective policy in the field of nuclear and radiation safety, which is an important element not only for the protection of public health, but also for the development of radiation-affected areas.
Therefore, due to metrological conditions and other factors, more than 20 countries were affected by radioactive contamination, with more than 70% of all radionuclides deposited on the territory of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. Most of them occurred in Belarus. Radioactive contamination affected 23% of the total territory, 21% of agricultural land, 25% of the forest fund, 3,678 settlements, 2.2 million people.
As of January 1, 2025, 12.3% of the total territory of Belarus, 10.7% of agricultural land, 15.3% of the forest fund, and 2022 settlements remain contaminated. On the territories of 8 districts in Gomel region and 5 districts in Mogilev region there is a checkpoint regime. On the territories of 3 regions there are disposal sites of deactivation waste of “Chernobyl” origin: 3 points in Brest region, 79 in Gomel region and 4 in Mogilev region. The tense radiation situation persists in the Polessky State Radiation and Ecological Reserve, which accounted for more than 30% of cesium-137, 73% of strontium and 97% of plutonium isotopes.
The country has established a system of nuclear law. Over the last 5 years, key legislative documents have been updated, guidelines, norms, rules, main directions of the unified state policy in the field of nuclear and radiation safety have been developed and adopted. One of the main documents is the National Security Concept approved in 2024, which provides for comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery of the affected territories of the Republic of Belarus from the Chernobyl accident.
“The Republic of Belarus has a unique experience of overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which should be shared with our colleagues in all countries. I hope that such accidents will not happen again, but we need to be ready,” said Olga Lugovskaya.
At present, to systematize and popularize information on overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl accident, Belarus is developing an informational and analytical review “Long-term experience and results of Belarus’ activities on radiation protection of the population and recovery of radioactively contaminated areas after the Chernobyl accident”.
The review will assess the effectiveness of the implemented measures on radiation protection of the population; technologies and methods used for rehabilitation of contaminated territories will be analyzed and evaluated; the most effective approaches and solutions, as well as unresolved problems and promising directions of research and practical activities will be identified; the effectiveness of international assistance and cooperation in the field of overcoming the negative consequences of the Chernobyl accident will be assessed.
All the experience gathered in this publication can be used for emergency response planning by other countries and will form the basis for the development of a Strategy for the Protection of the Population and Territory of Belarus in the Event of a Nuclear or Radiation Accident.
Ensuring nuclear and radiation safety is closely linked to the health of the population living in the Chernobyl regions, so the state’s efforts are certainly directed at reducing radiation risks to people’s health, ensuring and creating conditions for their normal and full life activity.
The Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Belarus, Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Republic of Belarus Svetlana Nechai informed that since 1986 the Government of Belarus had adopted more than 30 normative legal acts.They are aimed at carrying out protective measures and providing socio-economic assistance to reduce possible negative health consequences for the population affected by the accident. The main one is the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On social protection of citizens affected by the Chernobyl NPP catastrophe and other radiation accidents”.
An important element of state policy is monitoring the health of people affected by radiation. This includes regular medical examinations, tests and examinations to detect diseases related to radiation exposure.
As of 2024, the average annual population affected by the disaster was 1,343,644, which is 2.3% less than the 2023 level.
To control the number of radionuclides contained in the human body, regular measurements of internal radiation doses are carried out in Belarus using WBC units (individual health monitoring systems) among the affected population.
“In 2024, more than 67 thousand measurements of internal doses from WBC units were carried out in Belarus, of which only two cases were found to exceed the limits of permissible levels. These numbers show the effectiveness of all the preventive measures taken,” informed Svetlana Nechai.
In addition, in Belarus, within the framework of overcoming the medical consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, 98.6% of the affected population is undergoing medical check-ups, mobile brigades of specialized doctors and nurses are functioning, and the activities of the State Program on Overcoming the Consequences of the Chernobyl Disaster for 2021-2025 and the Union State are being implemented.
The Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Belarus informed: “The health care system of Belarus has all the necessary conditions and means to organize and ensure effective medical examination, rehabilitation and prevention of diseases of the affected population and works with all responsibility and efficiency in this direction.”
A significant role in studying the impact of the Chernobyl accident on human health is played by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO conducts extensive research to assess the impact of radiation on public health. Initiates and supports scientific research into the long-term effects of radiation exposure, such as breast and thyroid cancer and other diseases. Develops recommendations for medical follow-up and rehabilitation for survivors and for the prevention of radiation-related illnesses. Conducts educational campaigns to raise public awareness of radiation risks. In addition, WHO is actively collaborating with other international organizations and countries to coordinate efforts to assist affected regions and improve health systems.
“WHO’s task, together with its State Members and international partners, is to support the health sector to prepare for responses to radiation and nuclear emergencies, to prevent these situations, and to provide prompt care to patients with radiation-related conditions,” emphasized WHO Representative/Head of the WHO Country Office of the Republic of Belarus Sergei Dyorditsa. “Long-term research on Chernobyl recovery should be considered within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2030 Agenda calls for ‘leaving no one behind’ and above all those affected by crises around the world, those who have had to live with health fears for years, those who despite this continue to rebuild and develop.”
At the conclusion of the meeting of the Council for Sustainable Development, Sergei Khomenko, National Coordinator for achieving the SDGs, emphasized the importance of eliminating the consequences of the radiation disaster for future generations, as well as ensuring peaceful skies, law and order for the benefit of people.
Presentations by speakers (RU):
On the efforts of Belarus to overcome the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster (Khomenko S.N.)
On UNDP contribution to the recovery of Chernobyl-affected regions (Renfei Liu)
On Transition from Recovery to Development of the Regions of the Republic of Belarus Affected by the Chernobyl Catastrophe (Voropaev A.S.)
On Transformation of Approaches to Ensuring Safety of Chernobyl Regions as an Important Element of State Policy in the Field of Nuclear and Radiation Safety (Lugovskaya O.M.)
On Medical Consequences of the Chernobyl NPP Catastrophe and the System of Medical and Preventive Care for the Victims (Nechai S.V.)
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