Round Table Discussion on Chernobyl Takes Place at the United Nations
27.04.2017On April 26, 2017, a special discussion on “Identifying and Mitigating Long-term Consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster: Building the Case for Continued International Cooperation” took place at the UN headquarters in New York to commemorate the first International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day.
The International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day was declared by the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly “Persistent Legacy of the Chernobyl Disaster”, initiated by Belarus and adopted in December 2016.
The round table event was organised jointly by the Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations and the American non-governmental organisations “Project Chernobyl” and “Russian American Foundation”.
Mr Dmitry Mironchik, Director of Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, was the key speaker at the discussion. The Belarusian diplomat presented (video, text of statement) the proposals by Belarus on the further international cooperation on Chernobyl under the UN auspices. Participants of the round table from a number of countries, including Russia and Kazakhstan, expressed their views in support of such cooperation.
High representatives of several UN agencies made interventions during the discussion. Assistant UN Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs Mr Lenni Montiel drew attention to the peculiarities of the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in the regions affected by technological accidents. Various aspects of cooperation on Chernobyl were highlighted in the statements by the heads of New York offices of International Atomic Energy Agency and World Health Organization.
Experts of the non-governmental organisation “Chernobyl Project” presented the results of medical research on innovative treatment methods of radiation-induced diseases. The Chair of the US Board of the Irish organisation Chernobyl Children International Kathleen Ryan presented the CCI projects to support children from the Chernobyl regions.
Participants emphasised that the round table organised at the initiative of Belarus enriched the ongoing discussion in the UN on Chernobyl related issues, including Sustainable Development Agenda, Sendai Framework of Disaster Risk Reduction, health, environment cooperation.
