Ecology Expo 2023 kicks off in Minsk

MINSK, 22 August (BelTA) – The international environmental exhibition and forum Ecology Expo 2023 opened in Minsk on 22 August, BelTA has learned.

“The opening of the exhibition gave a start to the Environment Week that will be wrapped up by the 17th Environmental Forum in Stolin. Environmental issues feature large in Belarus. Environmental conservation is one of the priorities for our country, since a healthy environment is crucial for a healthy life. A healthy nation can build a strong economy,” Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Andrei Khudyk said.

He recalled that Belarus conducts 13 types of monitoring of air, water, land, ozone layer and other parameters. “The air in our country is getting cleaner every year, and we are doing much better when it comes to observation of the standards of maximum permissible concentrations of pollutants in the atmospheric air. We do not massively restrict access to water bodies in the summer due to issues with water quality,” he added.

According to him, 9.1% of Belarus’ territory is occupied by specially protected natural areas. “This year we will compile a new Red Book. I am sure that some species of plants and animals will be removed from it, as there is an increase in their populations. Thanks to efficient work and compliance with the legislation, our country is a poster child for environmental conservation in the post-Soviet space. Despite the Western sanctions, we remain parties to international conventions and fulfill our obligations. We are ready for negotiations and today we are meeting with Western representatives to reaffirm our commitment for dialogue and cooperation in the field of environmental conservation,” Andrei Khudyk stressed.

The international environmental exhibition and forum Ecology Expo 2023 is the largest congress and exhibition event in Belarus in the field of environmental protection, equipment, technologies and services in 2023. The event is designed to consolidate the efforts of all interested parties - government bodies, academic and business communities, experts, public associations and the general public - to solve environmental problems. The forum also seeks to encourage more people to join the environmental movement. An exhibition and a business program, plenary discussions, roundtable sessions, business meetings will be held on the sidelines of the forum.