On the outcomes of the second day of the visit of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus A.Dapkiunas to the UN Headquarters
02.04.2019Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Andrei Dapkiunas continues his visit to the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Panel discussion on the margins of the 52nd session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD)
On the margins of the 52nd session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD), Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Andrei Dapkiunas took part in the panel discussion on five regional reviews of the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) as a keynote speaker.
The Deputy Minister, on behalf of the European region, presented to the UN Member States the results of the review of the ICPD Program of Action in the region of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
In October 2018 in Geneva Belarus co-chaired the high-level regional conference “Enabling Choices: Population Dynamics and Sustainable Developmen”, where the results of the review of the Program of Action in the UNECE region were presented.
A. Dapkiunas informed the participants of the discussion on the main demographic challenges of the European region, as well as on the ways to overcome them in Belarus, as example.
Among the most relevant demographic trends for the UNECE region, the Deputy Head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry noted low fertility and population aging.
The Deputy Minister informed the participants that a special state policy for senior citizens is being developed in Belarus. A Dapkiunas noted that realizing the seriousness of the long-term and progressive aging process of the population of Belarus, last year the country began to develop a National Strategy for Active Aging. The Strategy is aimed at creating conditions for social inclusion of older people and full realization of their human potential.
The Deputy Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the need for a comprehensive response to low fertility in the region, taking as an example the policy of encouraging birth rates in Belarus.
A. Dapkiunas drew attention to the need to link further work on the implementation of the ICPD Program of Action with the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution «International Delegate’s Day»
The UN General Assembly on April 2 adopted the resolution «International Delegate’s Day» initiated by Belarus, according to which April 25 is proclaimed the so-named day in the UN.
On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the San Francisco Conference on an international organisation, the resolution is primarily aimed at recognising the contribution of delegates working within the UN in achieving the goals of the Organisation, and also emphasises the role of the founding states of the UN, including Belarus. In the context of the celebration of the 2019 centennial of the diplomatic service of the Republic of Belarus, the resolution also welcomes national initiatives to adopt days of diplomats or diplomatic services. The resolution was co-sponsored by more than 20 states.
Presenting the resolution to the General Assembly, A. Dapkiunas noted, first of all, its human rights orientation, timeliness of adoption and uniting character. The promotion and adoption of such non-confrontational resolutions have already become a “calling card” of Belarus and proves our commitment to a creative agenda in international relations.
Meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter-terrorism V.Voronkov
A. Dapkiunas also met with UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter-terrorism V. Voronkov.
During the meeting, the sides discussed current issues of organising and holding a high-level international conference on countering international terrorism with new and emerging technologies, scheduled for early September this year in Minsk.
The diplomats dwelled separately on other promising areas of cooperation between Belarus and the UN in the field of counter-terrorism, as well as on topical issues on the international agenda in this field.
Presentation of the Second European Games
On the same day, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs took part in the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition-presentation dedicated to the II European games in Belarus in the run-up to the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which is celebrated annually by the international community on April 6. The exhibition was organized by the Permanent Mission of Belarus to the UN in cooperation with the Foundation «Directorate of the II European Games 2019».
The Director of the Foundation «Directorate of the II European Games 2019», Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus, Mr. G.Katulin, addressed the participants of the event with welcoming speech.
During the presentation the audience was presented with information about the II European games, as well as about the tourist attractiveness and economic potential of Belarus. Attention was also drawn to the visa-free regime introduced in Belarus for citizens of 74 countries who have tickets to sporting events.
The event was also attended by the UN Under-Secretary-General V.Voronkov, who supported the efforts of Belarus in holding the II European games.
During the event the award of tickets for the II European games to American partners took place.
The special presentation was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps in New York, the UN secretariat and other guests.
