Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs A. Dapkiunas meets with the UNFPA Executive Director N. Kanem
03.04.2019During his visit to New York Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Andrei Dapkiunas, met with United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Natalia Kanem.
Natalia Kanem is the fifth Executive Director of UNFPA since October 3, 2017.
UNFPA is an operational structure of the United Nations Sustainable Development System in the field of population, which provides assistance to countries in solving their demographic challenges. In Belarus, the Fund began its activities in 1994. The current UNFPA country program is based on the following national priorities: population and development, reproductive health and gender equality.
At the invitation of UNFPA, Belarus as chairperson presented the results of the regional overview in the field of population and development at the thematic event of the 52nd session of the CPD and also participated in the thematic discussion organized by Belarus, Bulgaria, Tunisia, Japan, UNFPA and UNECE “Political Responses to Low Fertility and Aging: Elections and Prosperity” which took place on the margins of the 52nd session of the CPD.
During the meeting A. Dapkiunas noted that issues of demographic security are under the personal control of President of the Republic of Belarus A.G. Lukashenko. He informed about the efforts undertaken by the Government in accordance with the instructions of the Head of State on increasing fertility in the country and supporting families, especially large ones. He assured the interlocutor that Belarus is ready to be a catalyst for these issues in the region. He reported on the upcoming census in Belarus in October 2019, which is important for developing effective strategies in the field of demography and sustainable development.
The Deputy Minister commended UNFPA’s work at the country and regional levels. He informed about joint initiatives implemented in Belarus.
N. Kanem welcomed personal interest of the Head of State in improving the demographic situation in the country. She highly commended Belarusian efforts to stimulate fertility and family support, noting the exemplary role of Belarus in the region. She supported the continuation of the active role of Belarus on the UNFPA’s agenda.
During the meeting the interlocutors discussed what issues of UNFPA’s agenda could be reflected during the upcoming visit of the UN Secretary General A. Guterres to Belarus.
A. Dapkiunas invited N. Kanem to visit Belarus to discuss ways of further cooperation with UNFPA.
