The Declaration of Commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals was signed in Vitebsk

The Declaration of Commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals was signed in Vitebsk, where a thematic express train traveling through Belarusian cities arrived.

The signing ceremony, held at the City Palace of Creativity of Children and Youth, was attended by Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Nikolai Sherstnev, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus Sanaka Samarasinha, National HIV/AIDS Advisor of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Belarus Vladimir Gordeyko, and UNAIDS Program Coordinator in Belarus Vera Ilyenkova. "Organizations of the Vitebsk region are widely represented in UN international projects in the fields of energy efficiency, healthcare, education, environmental protection, and ecology. Taking into account the UN initiative, the large-scale and long-term project "Green City" is being implemented. It is based on improving ecology – it is planned to produce methane from household waste and use it to fuel engines instead of diesel fuel, use it in public utilities, in food and processing industry enterprises, and in passenger transportation, - said Nikolai Sherstnev. - I would like our relations to strengthen and contacts to become closer in the future. The region is ready for closer cooperation and effective work." In turn, Sanaka Samarasinha, on behalf of the UN, expressed gratitude to the local authorities for supporting the project "UN-70 Express in Belarus for Sustainable Development Goals" – a special UN train.

"The Declaration includes 17 main Goals, but they all boil down to two aspects – people and the planet. We must join forces to preserve both. The Vitebsk region is unique in its natural beauty and is capable of inspiring all of us to protect this wealth. People of different nationalities have gathered here, and Vitebsk, as the place where the "Slavianski Bazaar" is held, which has been uniting different people for many years, is precisely why we saved it for the conclusion. It is here that the grand finale of our campaign will take place," said the UN representative.

The main theme of the "UN-70 Express in Belarus" in Vitebsk was the environment: issues of energy efficiency, ecology, and the participation of local communities in sustainable development. The Vitebsk railway station is the last stop before the train returns to the capital. UN staff, representatives of a wide range of partners, public associations, and youth arrived in the regional center as passengers. In the city on the Daugava, the project participants intend to discuss such Sustainable Development Goals as renewable energy sources, responsible consumption, combating climate change and its consequences, protecting, restoring, and sustainably using ecosystems, and others. The train cars showcase the wildlife, unique sites, nature reserves, and sanctuaries of the Vitebsk region, as well as eco-projects implemented in the region.

Alena Tikhonova, BELTA.