In the course of the constructive meeting Andrei Khudyk said that Belarus had chosen the path that implies careful attitude to all resources, harmonious development of the economic and nature conservation. Belarus has been working hard to promote the green economy, to assimilate sustainable models of production and consumption, to promote the sustainable Smart City project. The Republic of Belarus actively cooperates with other countries in environmental protection. Andrei Khudyk also thanked the UNECE for providing an effective platform that is used by Belarus and all the countries of the region to promote best practices and innovative technologies.
For her part, Olga Algayerova commended Belarus’ successes in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, fruitful cooperation and active work to implement the international environmental agreements. The UNECE executive secretary believes that it is important to discuss the possible accession of Belarus to the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment to the Espoo Convention.
Andrei Khudyk noted that Belarus has been closely monitoring how the various international instruments work inside the country, including the instrument of strategic environmental assessment. Even not being a party to certain international agreements, Belarus has been voluntarily implementing some of their regulations. Some regulations of the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment have been enacted in the Belarusian national legislation. Andrei Khudyk said that the possibility of Belarus’ joining another international agreement would be further considered.