Climate change and green economic growth - the issues raised at the meeting of the National Council for Sustainable Development

Speaking at the meeting of the National Council for Sustainable Development Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Belarus Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki emphasized the importance of discussing in Belarus the implications of climate change and how to combat them, which is one of the top priorities on the UN’s agenda.

The National Council for Sustainable Development plays an important role in coordinating the cross-sectoral aspects of greening transition in Belarus.

“Green economic growth is reflected in the National Development Strategy and multiple sectoral five-year national plans and programmes. Green transition for inclusive and sustainable growth is the first accelerator and one of four pillars of the UN’s Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Belarus for 2021-2025,” said Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki.

UN Country Team is ready to complement these efforts under the climate agenda of Belarus and has already started working on implementation of green urban development plans at the district level, smart sustainable city profiles, technical cooperation and trainings to improve energy efficiency standards for buildings and the piloting of public private partnerships.

UN agencies started a new joint UN SDG Fund project in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance. As part of this initiative, a development finance assessment of environmental expenditures will be undertaken by the UN Development Program (UNDP).

Also, UN will soon be launching the big new SDG project funded by the Russian Federation, which will open new opportunities to further engage experts amongst all relevant stakeholders, including civil society, academia and the private sector.

Green transitions require financing. The external resources are very important and UN Belarus is ready to leverage such resources.