15 May 2026
On May 15, 2026, the thematic meeting of the Council for Sustainable Development dedicated to the International Family Day was held in Minsk as part of the Year of the Belarusian Woman.
Igor Sekreta, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Head of the Secretariat of the National Coordinator for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, opened the meeting of the Council for Sustainable Development by introducing Sergey Aleynik as the National Coordinator for Achieving the SDGs, appointed by Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated April 28, 2026, No. 140.
Sergey Aleynik, National Coordinator for Achieving the SDGs, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on International Affairs and National Security of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, addressed the participants of the CSD meeting with a welcoming speech and expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, the Secretariat of the SDG National Coordinator and the Educational Center for Life Safety of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus for organizing the CSD meeting dedicated to the International Family Day. The National Coordinator noted the importance of the decision of the UN General Assembly to proclaim May 15 as the International Day of Families and emphasized the key role of the family as the foundation for the sustainability of the state. Sergei Aleynik noted that the Republic of Belarus consistently develops family policy, supports families with children and promotes family issues in the international arena, including coordinating the Group of Friends of the Family at the United Nations. In his speech, the National Coordinator paid special attention to the Year of the Belarusian Woman, announced by Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 1 dated January 1, 2026, as well as to the growth of women’s participation in public and political life and the creation of conditions for the successful combination of work and motherhood.
Cooperation with the UN Country Team is one of the key elements of the work of the national mechanism for the implementation of the SDGs. The topics discussed at today’s event are among the priorities of the United Nations and run as a red line through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Rasul Baghirov, UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Belarus, congratulated Sergey Aleynik on his appointment as the National Coordinator and expressed confidence in further effective cooperation. He noted the importance of the family as reliable support and source of support. Rasul Bagirov emphasized the creative role of women in society and the family, noting that the Year of the Belarusian Woman makes it possible to place special emphasis on this. The UN Resident Coordinator also drew attention to the analytical data from a sample household survey to study the use of the daily time fund by the population, conducted by government statistics agencies with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN Women.
There is not a single government agency in the Republic of Belarus that is not more or less involved in family policy issues, including because each of us is a participant in it and faces it in everyday life. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus is charged with the task of developing and implementing the main directions and priorities of state policy aimed at improving the socio‑economic living conditions of the family.
Yulia Berdnikova, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus, emphasized the key role of the family in the sustainable development of the country and presented the current multi-level system of state support for families with children, including benefits, family capital and labor guarantees for parents. She outlined the need to strengthen the institution of marriage and also noted the successful implementation of the Parent-Friendly Companies project. Yulia Berdnikova informed about the measures provided for by the State Program “Demographic Potential Development” for 2026-2030 and about the Information Strategy of Family Policy approved in March 2026, aimed at forming a value-based attitude towards the family and the equal participation of parents in the upbringing of children.
The development of the women’s movement and the expansion of partnership between public associations and government agencies have a significant impact on improving the social status of women. Women’s organizations play a key role in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, articulating their needs and setting public policy priorities. Today, there are more than 30 gender‑oriented public associations in Belarus, the largest of which is the NGO “Belarusian Union of Women”, which unites over 140,000 members.
Svetlana Marshina, Head of the Educational Center for Life Safety of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus, a member of the NGO “Belarusian Union of Women”, noted that the announcement of 2026 as the Year of the Belarusian Woman reflects recognition of the key role of women as pillars of the stability of society and emphasized the conditions created in Belarus for a harmonious combination of women’s career and family. She informed about the activities of the NGO “Belarusian Union of Women”, the country’s largest women’s organization, which implements a wide range of social, cultural and charitable projects, including “Woman of the Year”, “Honoring Rural Workers”, “Our Children” and “From the bottom of my Heart” campaigns, “Women’s Health is the Health of the Nation”, “Being a Mom is Cool” and “Being a Dad is Cool” projects, festival “Together”, Forum of Women Entrepreneurs, inclusive project “Another Depth”, charity youth ball “Good evening!”, contest “Dzyavochy Vyanochak Miru”, campaign “Mom’s Pies”, etc. Svetlana Marshina noted the active international cooperation of NGO “Belarusian Union of Women”, including participation in the IV Eurasian Women’s Forum in St. Petersburg, African Women’s Forum in Zimbabwe, World Women’s Forum in Mongolia, SCO Women’s Forum in China, Sino-Belarusian Women’s Forum, BRICS Women Entrepreneurs Forum, Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia and Global Women’s Summit in Beijing. She emphasized that the Year of the Belarusian Woman is a period of intense work for the NGO “Belarusian Union of Women”, expanding cooperation with labor collectives and involving new participants in public activities.
Marianna Shchetkina, PhD in Sociology, Associate Professor, Professor of the Department of Social Policy and Ideology at the Academy of Management under the President of the Republic of Belarus, the first National Coordinator for achieving the SDGs in Belarus, noted the significant role of women in the social development of the country. She emphasized that in 2027 it will be ten years since the creation of the National Architecture for Managing the Process of Achieving the SDGs, formed considering national interests and providing an integrated approach to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Marianna Shchetkina stressed that Belarus was one of the first to develop the national symbols of the SDGs, established and built an effective system for informing about the progress of achieving the SDGs. She also informed about the main global trends and external challenges in the economic, social and environmental spheres, provided data on the implementation of the SDGs in the social sphere, emphasized the key role of education, local sustainable development strategies and partnerships to achieve the SDGs. In conclusion, Marianna Shchetkina noted the unique state support for families and women in the Republic of Belarus and stressed the importance of coordinated work by all participants in this process.
The UNFPA is one of the UN agencies responsible for family planning and supporting the efforts of the UN Member States in the field of reproductive health.
Olga Atroshchanka, Head of the UNFPA Office in the Republic of Belarus, stressed that demographic sustainability is seen as an investment in human capital, providing conditions for the prosperity of society and the realization of the potential of each person throughout life. She informed the participants of the CSD about the initiative “Parent-friendly Companies”, aimed at creating a corporate environment that allows employees to combine professional development, family responsibilities and caring for children. In her speech, the Head of the office also highlighted the importance of supporting data collection in the field of family well-being and gave an example of a UNFPA-supported survey of the time budget of Belarusian households conducted by the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus. She noted the activities aimed at strengthening the reproductive health of the population, including the development of online resources for parents, practice-oriented simulation training for doctors, prevention of human papillomavirus, projects for young people, and support for the potential of HIV service organizations. Olga Atroshchanka stressed the importance of men’s support for women and informed about the cooperation between the UNFPA and national partners in promoting mindful parenting and involved fatherhood, as well as in creating accessible online resources for moms and dads on pregnancy planning and mindful parenting.
Belarus has built an effective partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement international technical assistance projects and initiatives. A number of implemented and ongoing projects are aimed at supporting women, including developing their entrepreneurial potential.
Renfei Liu, UNDP Resident Representative in the Republic of Belarus, stressed the importance of the meeting of the Council for Sustainable Development, dedicated to the International Family Day and the Year of the Belarusian Woman, as well as the importance of discussing the role of women in strengthening families, communities and shaping a sustainable future. She noted Belarus’ progress in supporting women’s participation in the country’s economy and presented the directions of the UNDP’s work in this area, including the development of entrepreneurial skills, the promotion of digital entrepreneurship, and the creation of a mentoring network where women leaders support and inspire each other. Renfei Liu confirmed the commitment of the UNDP to further cooperation.
The contribution of the younger generation to the implementation of the SDGs is crucial for achieving national and global priorities. Favorable conditions have been created in Belarus to unlock the potential of young people and integrate their initiatives into the social, economic and political spheres. The Institute of SDG Youth Ambassadors, which was established several years ago and is now functioning effectively, bringing together active and motivated youth, has become an important tool for this work.
Polina Kotikova, the Youth Ambassador of the SDG 4 “Quality Education”, student of the Belarusian State University of Foreign Languages, informed about the contribution of the youth of Belarus to the development of family policy and the promotion of women’s rights. She referred to the position of the President of the Republic of Belarus on the key role of the family and the significant contribution of women to the strengthening of the state, noting that family support and recognition of the role of women are important elements of sustainable development. Polina Kotikova presented the activities of the SDG Youth Ambassadors of the 5th convocation to strengthen family values and gender equality, including participation in city and national events on the occasion of the Year of the Belarusian Woman, as well as holding thematic trainings, creative contests, dialogue platforms and educational meetings (dialogue platform “Woman: a look into Tomorrow”, project “Non-accidental meetings”, etc.). She noted the interest of the SDG Youth Ambassadors in further participating in initiatives aimed at creating a more sustainable and inclusive society.
Family is the most important source of motivation and support for every person. Family well-being contributes to successful professional activity and helps to cope with stressful workloads. Special attention is paid to how the family environment affects work productivity and what tools are used to strengthen the balance between professional responsibilities and family life.
Sergey Dubkov, Coordinator of the Sustainable Development Partner Group for Business Relations, Chairperson of the Management Board of BSB Bank CJSC, Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of the Global Compact Network in the Republic of Belarus, informed about the role of the family in maintaining the sustainability of the company and implementing the corporate social responsibility policy. In October 2025, he announced the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation within the framework of the Responsible Business Forum and the implementation, jointly with the UNFPA, of the initiative “Parent-Friendly Companies”, which provides for an online school for parent employees, the introduction of social practices, the organization of joint events for employees and their families, career guidance for employees’ children, and training for employees to enter the workplace pension and other measures. Sergey Dubkov emphasized that a stable and successful team is a key factor in the sustainability and efficiency of the company.
The organization of medical care for mothers and children is rightfully the hallmark of the healthcare system of the Republic of Belarus. The country has one of the lowest mortality rates for children under five years of age, and the development and introduction of high technologies in the perinatal field have allowed us to form an effective model of care, the experience of which has been used in the Russian Federation and a number of other CIS countries.
Diana Mardas, an obstetrician-gynecologist, senior lecturer at the Department of Health Organization of the Belarusian State Medical University and head of the educational platform for parents “MAMA PAPA PRO”, informed about the Belarusian experience in the field of support for motherhood, fatherhood and reproductive health. She noted that in modern conditions, the system of preparation for parenthood is undergoing significant changes and requires new approaches. Diana Mardas reported on the development of the mobile application “Mama Papa Pro” starting in 2020, on the basis of which the programs “#My Baby” and “Daddy Every Day” operate, created with the support of the UNFPA and providing personalized support to expectant parents. She stressed the willingness to partner to further develop initiatives aimed at improving the quality of preparation for parenthood and strengthening family well-being.
Сoncluding the meeting of the Council for Sustainable Development, Sergey Aleynik thanked the speakers for their informative presentations. The National Coordinator noted that the information presented at the CSD meeting testifies to the high attention of the state and the President of the Republic of Belarus to the issues of ensuring women’s rights, as well as strengthening and supporting the institution of the family in its traditional sense, emphasizing the high position of Belarus in international ratings. He expressed gratitude to representatives of government agencies and diplomatic missions for participating in the meeting of the CSD and called for further search for areas of mutual interest and partnership.
A solemn ceremony of awarding commendations to the National Coordinator for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals was held during the CSD meeting. For a significant contribution to the achievement of the SDGs and in connection with the Year of the Belarusian Woman, the National Coordinator’s commendations were awarded:
The meeting of the Council for Sustainable Development was organized with the support of the United Nations Development Programme in the Republic of Belarus within the Joint Project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of SDGs”, funded by the Russian Federation.
Speakers’ presentations:
Family in the context of sustainable development of the Republic of Belarus (Yulia Berdnikova)Activities of the public association “Belarusian Union of Women (Svetlana Marshina)The role of the SDGs in the social environment (Marianna Shchetkina)Modern solutions for the family (Olga Atroshchanka)Women’s economic Empowerment as an investment in sustainable development. The experience of the UNDP in Belarus on the development of women’s entrepreneurship” (Renfei Liu)Role of women and the family in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Initiatives of SDG Youth Ambassadors (Polina Kotikova)Role of the family in maintaining the sustainability of the company and the implementation of CSR policy (Sergey Dubkov)Sustainable development through digital modernization of family support (Diana Mardas)
Video recording of the meeting
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