Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei participates in the 74th session of the UN General Assembly (first day)

24 September 2019

24-09-2019

On September 23, 2019 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, attended the opening ceremony of the Climate Action Summit, which was organized on the initiative of the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly.

Background Information: The event aims to mobilize political will for the implementation of Paris Climate Agreement and increase the level of ambitious in the combat against climate change. The summit is held one year before countries will have to commit to Nationally Determined Contributions enhancement according to the Paris Agreement.

The Belarusian side is firmly committed to the transition to a low-carbon sustainable economy and has sent a note to the UN Secretariat, announcing its’ intention to make an unconditional commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions up to 35% by 2030 as compared to 1990, solely from its own resources. Among the concrete measures of Belarus towards ensuring low-carbon development are the wider use of renewables, construction of energy-efficient housing, development of electric transport, introduction of low-carbon and carbon-free technologies.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei attends the opening ceremony of the Climate Action Summit

The Head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry also took part in a special high-level event “The Global Call to Protect Religious Freedom”, which took place on the initiative of the United States on the sidelines of the high week of the current UNGA session. This initiative seeks to broaden international support for protecting various religions in the wake of the increasing persecution of people on the basis of their beliefs, as well as attacks and destruction of houses of worship. The event was attended by U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Vice-President Michael Pence, U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The Foreign Minister also held a bilateral meeting with the Austrian Foreign Minister, Alexander Schallenberg, at the UN Headquarters. The interlocutors noted the constructive and trusting nature of the interaction between the two countries. The perspectives of increasing of capacity-building for further trade and economic cooperation were discussed. The Foreign Ministers agreed to coordinate the issue of arrangement of bilateral visits at the highest level.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei meets the Austrian Foreign Minister A.Schallenberg

In the framework of his visit to New York, V.Makei met with the Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, Brock Bierman. The parties discussed current state of bilateral relations, as well as potential areas of cooperation, including development of small and medium-sized enterprises, tourism and culture.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei meets the Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development B.Bierman

During the meeting with the Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee (AEK), David Harris, the perspectives of cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and AEK were discussed, including the implementation of joint projects to keep the memory of the victims of Holocaust, preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the Jewish people, and develop nostalgic tourism in Belarus, as well as steps to counter further the manifestations of anti-Semitism.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei meets the Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee D.Harris

Upon the invitation of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Foreign Minister took part in the Shaping Partnerships for a Multiconceptual World ministerial event, which took place on the sidelines of the WEF Summit on Sustainable Development, timed to coincide with the 74th session UN General Assembly.

Background Information: The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a non-governmental organisation, whose members are more than 1000 large international companies and corporations (Nestle, Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, Coca-Cola, Boeing, etc.) from more than 50 countries with turnover of over 5 billion dollars. WEF implements a number of international economic programs aimed at combating unemployment, increasing investment in developing countries, innovations in the financial sector, etc. The forum is the organiser of the economic forum in Davos, to which heads of state, heads of leading corporations, and prominent economic organisations, analysts and journalists are invited. WEF Summit on Sustainable Development is traditionally held on the sidelines of the high-level week of annual sessions of the UN General Assembly and is dedicated to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and in which UN Member States are invited to participate.

Head of the Foreign Ministry discussed with the President of the World Economic Forum, Børge Brende, the prospects of cooperation with this organization, including in the context of the planned accession of Belarus to the WTO. Head of the Forum suggested thinking on the possible formats for Belarusian participation in economic forums in Davos. The counterparts discussed urgent issues of regional cooperation and security. During the meeting, V.Makei welcomed WEF’s decision to include Belarus in 2020 in the report “Global Competitiveness Index”. V.Makei confirmed the invitation to B.Brende to pay a visit to Belarus.