30 years of the National Assembly: the history of creation and how the status of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly has changed since 1996

2026 marks 30 years since the first All-Belarusian People’s Assembly, which took place on October 19-20, 1996 at the Palace of Sports in Minsk. During this time, the way has been made from the forum to the highest representative body of democracy. How the meeting changed, what the delegates decided and when the third meeting of the VII WNC is scheduled - read the ONT.by material.

The current year is a jubilee year for the WNC – it is 30 years since the date of the first meeting in October 1996. During this time, a large-scale path has been made from an emergency anti-crisis measure to the highest constitutional body of democracy. Created in the mid-90s of the last century against the background of a deep political and economic crisis, the collection has become a unique state institution. This is a rare example in world politics of attempts to combine elements of representative and direct democracy in a large state. On December 17-18, the third meeting of the VII All-Belarusian People’s Assembly will be held in Minsk. Its form has not only been preserved, it has been transformed and adapted. Over three decades, more than 10 thousand citizens of Belarus took part in the meeting as delegates.

1996: first meeting amid crisis

The history of the VNS began on October 19-20, 1996 in the Palace of Sports in Minsk. The socio-political situation in the country at that time was a turning point and complex: the confrontation between the President and the Supreme Soviet, the crisis of power, the agreement on the creation of the community of Belarus and Russia, riots on the street, hyperinflation, shortage of goods, the indignation of the people. It was then that Alexander Lukashenko initiated the referendum. The motto of the first forum was “Only the people have the right to decide their fate”. The first meeting brought together 4,740 delegates from different regions and social groups. Such a large number of people were not at any other All-Belarusian People’s Assembly.

The President decided to discuss with the Belarusians ways out of the crisis, develop a strategy for socio-economic development and enlist support in holding a landmark referendum, because the most serious issues were solved there. A set benchmark for the development of the republic for the five-year period was a socially-oriented market economy, growth in exports of goods and services, housing construction and modernization of the agro-industrial complex, a new constitutional model with a strong presidential power.

From the second to the fifth meeting: the mottos and priorities of the five-year plan

The second WPC was held on May 18-19, 2001 in the Palace of the Republic under the motto “For a strong and prosperous Belarus”. By this time, the country had overcome the consequences of the crisis of the 90s, GDP grew by more than a third, and the priorities of the new five-year plan were food security, exports, housing, innovation and investment.

At the third meeting in 2006, a landmark event and the main priority was the program for the development of small towns and the creation of agro-towns, and its slogan “State for the People” became the slogan of the entire policy of independent Belarus. Belarusian agro-towns are a rare type of landscaped rural settlements that combine the urban level of comfort and developed infrastructure with the traditional way of village life.

The fourth GNS was held in 2010 under the motto “Our historical choice is an independent, strong and prosperous Belarus” in the context of the global crisis, rising inflation and instability of the national currency, because of which the main topic was the preservation of a socially-oriented model of the economy for the sake of supporting the population. While in a number of European countries, the recovery from the crisis was accompanied by a reduction in social spending and the protection of private capital, Belarus has chosen a different path, focused on supporting its citizens.

The fifth GNC of 2016 was held under the slogan “Together for a strong and prosperous Belarus” against the backdrop of the coup d’etat in Ukraine and the war in Donbas, when Minsk became a negotiating platform, the place of a landmark meeting of leaders of neighboring southeastern states, Germany and France, as well as the conclusion of the famous Minsk agreements. The delegates of the WNC announced a course to expand ties with Asia, Latin America and dialogue with Europe. The main provisions of the program of social and economic development of Belarus for 2016-2020 were adopted. And the main goal is to improve the quality of life of the population: increasing the competitiveness of the economy, attracting investment and innovative development. Priorities such as investment, employment, exports, informatization and youth have been identified to achieve it.

The Sixth GNC and the 2022 Referendum: New Status

The Sixth SNC gathered 2,700 people to respond to the challenges of 2020, where they supported the constitutional reform and the idea of giving the Assembly the status of a permanent body, which sealed the referendum on February 27, 2022. The decisions of the meeting have become binding. And it was at the VI VNS that a proposal was made to establish a new holiday in the country - the Day of National Unity.

From that moment, a new history of the VNS began.

VII SNC: first meeting in new status

The VII All-Belarusian People’s Assembly was held on April 24-25, 2024 under the motto “Time has chosen us” in the new constitutional status of the highest representative body of democracy with a limit to 1,200 delegates, who now meet at least once a year, and at the first meeting elected Alexander Lukashenko as chairman and approved the National Security Concept and the Military Doctrine. These documents define modern approaches of the state to ensuring security in all spheres and fix the position of Belarus on issues of peaceful settlement and other foreign policy.

Second meeting of the VII WNC: 2030 Agenda and key decisions

On December 18-19, 2025, the second meeting of the Seventh All-Belarusian People’s Assembly was held. It was attended by 1,137 delegates and over 700 guests. The key event was the approval of the program of socio-economic development for 2026-2030. In addition, a member of the Presidium of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly was elected by secret ballot. He became a delegate of the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly, Chairman of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee Alexei Kushnarenko. The issues of updating the composition of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts with the adoption of relevant decisions were also considered.

Thus, at the second session of the VII All-Belarusian People’s Assembly, the constitutional powers of the Supreme National Assembly as the highest body of democracy, whose decisions are mandatory, including the approval of the Program of socio-economic development of the country, the updated composition of judges of higher judicial instances, were implemented for the first time.

What the SNC decides: powers of assembly

The platform allows to cover the widest possible range of opinions and views of civil society, acts as the main political stabilizer of the system and is vested with powers for the most important decisions of the state. The body has the right to cancel legal acts and decisions of any state bodies (except for acts of judicial bodies), if they contradict the interests of national security. This restriction protects the constitutional principle of the independence of the three branches of government. The Assembly is also authorized to make personnel decisions of the highest level, including the coordination and election of judges of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts.

Why Belarus WNSS

The All-Belarusian People’s Assembly is the highest representative body of democracy, which determines the strategic directions of development of society and the state, ensures the inviolability of the constitutional system, the continuity of generations and civil harmony.

When considering the draft law on the SNC in the House of Representatives in December 2022, Deputy Svetlana Lubetskaya, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Legislation, stated: In accordance with the updated Constitution, the Belarusian people participate in the resolution of state affairs in the forms and limits established by the Basic Law. And it is no coincidence that the updated text of the Constitution was supplemented by a special chapter dedicated to the new institution with its functions aimed at ensuring the system of checks and balances in the political system - the All-Belarusian People's Assembly. We have experience in holding such meetings. But today, taking into account the tasks and challenges of modern life, this institution required not only updating, but also improving its legislative regulation.”.

The Assembly has specific powers. It approves a program of socio-economic development, elects judges of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts and may revoke acts of state bodies (except judicial ones) if they are contrary to the interests of national security. The law also provides for the power to consider the legitimacy of elections. The decisions of the SNA are binding.

What WNS participants remember

In the framework of the 30-year history of the organ of democracy, live testimonies of its participants, collected within the framework of the large-scale digital project “VNS in persons”, acquire special significance. From the memories of eyewitnesses, the true history of the people is formed.

Andrey Galinsky, tractor driver of KUSP Dunilovichi-Agro, participant of the First All-Belarusian People’s Assembly: I am a village person, and for me those years, the mid-90s, are a time of difficult memories. Farms survived as best they could, technology was getting older, people did not know what would happen tomorrow. When the President convened the first All-Belarusian People’s Assembly and said that only the people have the right to decide their fate, it was close and understandable to us, the workers of the fields. Alexander Grigorievich then said the main thing: the land needs a prudent master, and we must take care of this ourselves. And he carried this understanding through the years – not in words, but in deeds.”.

Anna Pashkevich, Mathematics teacher of Kolodishchansk State School No. 2 and delegate of the VII All-Belarusian National Assembly: I have been a delegate since 2024. Very sensitive and symbolic. First of all, because on the 30th anniversary of the VNS, I also turn 30 this year. In 1996, I was born and I was born. In fact, the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly is of particular importance to me. I work with future adults, and I must put the right values into them by my competent example.”.

Alexander Tarasyuk, manufacturer of works of the repair, construction and protective coatings section of the repair, construction and installation department No. 1 of the USP "Trust "Remmontazhstroy", delegate of the VII All-Belarusian People's Assembly: "Colossal scale of the event! Around people whom I saw only on TV: athletes, childhood idols, for example, Alexander Gleb. Especially remember informal communication in breaks, when guests such as cosmonaut Marina Vasilevskaya, willingly answered questions of dozens of people and took pictures with everyone. [...] We are fast moving forward, not standing still. And I became a delegate because I care about what tomorrow will be like.”.

Lyudmila Bukataya, senior nurse of the therapeutic department of the Klichev Central District Hospital, delegate of the VII All-Belarusian People’s Assembly: At the meeting, I remember the speech of the Head of State, who answered questions without papers, demonstrating a deep knowledge of economics, politics, social issues, all spheres of life. Thanks to our president, we live in a peaceful and stable country. [...] When I was chosen as a delegate from the ROO “White Russia”, I experienced joy and excitement, carefully prepared for work. My fellow countrymen accompanied me with wishes of good luck, and the interest in the forum from our society was huge.”.

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History of the WNC

Date Event Key features / Motto 19-20 October 1996 I All-Belarusian People's Assembly Place: Palace of Sports, Minsk. The motto is “Only the people have the right to decide their destiny.” The record number of delegates is 4740. Adopting a strategy to overcome the crisis. May 18-19, 2001 II All-Belarusian People's Assembly Place: Palace of the Republic. Motto: "For a strong and prosperous Belarus". Establishing a course on food security, exports, housing, innovation and investment. March 2–3, 2006 III All-Belarusian People’s Assembly Motto: “State for the People”. The course on real incomes of the population, innovative economic development, energy and resource saving, export growth and competitiveness of Belarusian products, development of the agro-industrial complex and rural revival, housing construction and development of small towns. December 6-7, 2010 IV All-Belarusian People’s Assembly Motto: “Our historic choice is an independent, strong and prosperous Belarus”. Preservation of the national model of socially oriented market economy, improvement of the investment and business climate, development of high-tech industries, growth of exports. 22–23 June 2016 V All-Belarusian People’s Assembly Motto: “Together for a Strong and Prosperous Belarus”. The course on multi-vector and improving the quality of life. Investment, employment, exports, informatization and youth are declared development priorities. 11-12 February 2021 VI All-Belarusian People's Assembly Motto: "Unity". Development. Independence”. Answering the challenges of 2020. The beginning of the constitutional reform. The initiative to create a new state holiday of National Unity Day. February 27, 2022 Republican Referendum Consolidation of the new constitutional status of the SNC as the highest representative body of democracy. 24-25 April 2024 I meeting of the VII WPC Motto: “Time has chosen us”. Work in a new status. Approval of the National Security Concept and Military Doctrine. December 18-19, 2025 II meeting of the VII WPC Motto: “Time of concrete cases”. Approval of the program of socio-economic development for 2026-2030. December 17-18, 2026 III meeting of the VII WPC Over 30 years, more than 10 thousand delegates took part

For 30 years, the SPC has gone from a forum to the highest representative body of democracy with constitutional status. Currently, the meeting consists of no more than 1,200 delegates, and meetings are held at least once a year. The third meeting of the VII WPC will be held on December 17-18, 2026 in Minsk. The SSC determines the strategic directions of development of society and the state and ensures the inviolability of the constitutional system, the continuity of generations and civil harmony.

The material was prepared by Maria Sandrozd, Marina Samonchenko

Photo by Belt, ONT infographic