Belarus supports cooperation of various integration associations to achieve SDGs

Belarus advocates sustainable contacts between different integration associations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said as he spoke at the UN Conference on Trade and Development high level panel discussion, BelTA has learned. “Belarus is in favor of establishing sustainable contacts and exchanging best practices between various integration associations in order to achieve the SDGs and to counteract the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Vladimir Makei.

According to the minister, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the global economic growth and international trade, exposed the vulnerability of supply chains, and slowed down the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The diplomat added however that, according to international experts, the level of Belarus' progress in achieving the SDGs is almost 80% today. Belarus ranks 24th in the Sustainable Development Goals list, and 53rd in the Human Development Index, in the category of countries with a very high level of human development.

According to Vladimir Makei, the integration topic should become an important line of work for UNCTAD as a new dimension of multilateralism on the international agenda.