UNECE experts to analyze environmental efforts in Belarus

Experts of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) will prepare the third environmental performance review of Belarus, BelTA learned from Iya Malkina, Belarusian First Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister, during the plenary session dedicated to the start of the environmental performance review of Belarus.

According to the source, experts of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe will stay in Belarus on 16-26 March to prepare the third environmental performance review. “It is not the first time the review will be prepared. The first commission came in 1997, the second one came in 2005. Now ten years later we have once again decided to invite international experts to assess Belarus’ progress in the sphere of environmental efforts,” noted Iya Malkina.

According to the official, results of the environmental performance review will be published and can be used later by countries, which among other things provide international financial aid for the promotion of environmental efforts in developing countries. “Various environmental events are held in Belarus. We tightly cooperate with international organizations and projects. It is important for us to let the other countries know how far we have advanced,” she stressed.

“We have brought to Belarus a mission of international experts that represent the secretariat of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and international organizations. They will provide an external independent evaluation of how the government pursues its environmental policy, what results have been achieved in the sphere of environmental protection and sustainable development,” explained Yulia Trombitskaya, representative of the UNECE secretariat and the coordinator of the environmental performance review of Belarus.

The review will comprise 14 chapters. “We will take a close look at the legislation and its observance in the country, will analyze the economic instruments that help with environmental protection. Some chapters will be dedicated to the protection of air, water resources, biological diversity, and waste treatment. Apart from that, this time the environmental performance review will pay close attention to ecological considerations in various branches of the economy,” stated the UNECE secretariat representative. Yulia Trombitskaya stressed that experts of the commission will work with representatives of all the ministries and government agencies of Belarus as well as non-governmental organizations.

“A report will be prepared as a result of our work. It will provide concrete recommendations for the country. It will be passed by the UNECE Committee on Environmental Policy in October 2015,” said Yulia Trombitskaya.