UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL TO BE HELD SHORTLY

 

On 30 June – 25 July 2008, New York will host a substantive session of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

 

The High-Level Segment will include an annual ministerial review “Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to sustainable development” and a thematic discussion “Assisting a versatile approach to the development of rural areas in the developing countries for the eradication of poverty and sustainable development taking into account modern challenges”.

 

The High-Level Segment will be attended by Minister of Economy Nikolai Zaichenko. During the annual ministerial review the Head for Economy will make a report about the measures stepped up by Belarus to ensure sustainable economic growth, outline the achievements of the socially oriented macroeconomic policies of the Belarus Government, share experience in delivering on the goals of the socioeconomic development and put across Belarus proposals to increase the efficiency of the international community’s steps to achieve the development goals.

 

The Belarus Economy Minister is scheduled to meet with Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development Supachai Panitchpakdi to discuss the results of the 12^th session of the Conference held in April this year in Ghana and practical co-operation in the preparation of the UNCTAD-issued country-specific investment review. Nikolai Zaichenko is also planning to meet with the Deputy Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS Cihan Sultanoglu to explore the bilateral agenda.

 

The ECOSOC substantive session will also involve a Forum on the development co-operation to review trends and progress in the international co-operation in this area and an exchange of experience in the national development policymaking.

 

 

BELARUS DELEGATION TO ATTEND THE SEVENTH CONFERENCE OF THE MINISTERS OF INFORMATION OF THE NON-ALIGNED COUNTRIES

 

On 2–4 July 2008, Venezuela will host the Seventh Conference of the Ministers of Information of the Non-Aligned Countries (COMINAC), with a Belarus delegation led by the First Deputy Minister of Information Lilia Ananich in attendance. The Coordination Bureau of the Non-Aligned Bureau has approved the candidacy of the head of the Belarusian delegation as Deputy Chair of the Conference.

 

A major issue to be raised during the general discussion is addressing current challenges and working out proposals to raise worldwide awareness of the NAM standing with regard to the information and communication trends. The problems remain on the priority agenda for the Non-Aligned Movement due to the globalization-related imbalances and restrictions.

 

BELARUS-SYRIA BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL UNDERWAY NOW

 

On 23–28 June 2008, a delegation of the Syrian business community is visiting Minsk to attend the first session of the Belarus-Syria Business Co-operation Council under the auspices of the Commercial Chambers of the two countries.

 

The Belarusian part of the commission is led by First Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Trade and Industry Chamber Nikolai Sakhar, the Syrian delegation is headed by Co-Chairman of the Council Riyad Khamad and Deputy Minister for Economy and Trade Khalid Saluta.

 

In the course of the visit, the Syrian delegation held talks with Belarus Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov, heads of the concerns “Belneftekhim”, “Bellesbumprom” “Bellegprom”, “Belbiofarm”, visited the Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange and is yet to meet with Economy Minister Nikolai Zaichenko and visit the Minsk Tractor Works and MAZ-MAN manufacturing facilities.