High-level meetings and bilateral contacts. The 4th day of Ryzhenkova’s work program in New York has ended

On September 25, on the fourth day of his visit to New York, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov took part in several high-level meetings at the UN headquarters. This sb.by reported in the press service of the foreign Ministry.

At the high-level meeting on the prevention of pandemics, the minister spoke about the experience of Belarus in overcoming the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has proved its worth in practice. He criticized the protectionist and isolationist policies promoted by the West at the time, which disrupted transport and logistics chains, monopoly on vaccine development and control over vaccine distribution. Calls for international commitments not to apply any restrictions on the supply of medical products during emergencies. He advocated solidarity in the field of global health, which should be expressed in the timely exchange of information, joint research and strengthening of epidemiological surveillance.

At the ministerial meeting of the Group of Friends of the Alliance of Civilizations, Maxim Ryzhenkov noted the significant contribution of the Alliance in promoting dialogue, conducting cultural exchanges and bringing young people closer together. Identified the ongoing conflict of civilizations, which is deliberately cultivated by the West in order to destabilize the countries of the Global Majority through incitement to wars, fueling regional conflicts and the introduction of unilateral coercive measures. The Minister recalled the initiative of the President of the Republic of Belarus to recognize the path of progressive development, put forward in 2005 at the UN Summit. Briefly informed about the national achievements of Belarus in promoting cultural and religious diversity. Stressed the inadmissibility of the implementation by individual members of the Group of policies involving dictates, threats and illegal sanctions. The double standards leading to civilizational tensions must be abolished. In this regard, he called for the exclusion of unilateral coercive measures from the practice of building relations.

At the 11th ministerial meeting of the Group of Friends of Like-minded People in Support of Middle-Income Countries, the Belarusian Foreign Minister stressed the importance of this category of states in the process of preserving stability and development. He noted the importance of mutual support on various issues on the international agenda. He also opposed unilateral coercive measures and secondary illegal sanctions. We call for the formation of fair and equal conditions for cooperation of all countries without exception.

At the high-level meeting on the Global Development Initiative, organized by China, Maxim Ryzhenkov expressed support for the steps of the Chinese side to ensure sustainable development in the world, including through the provision of necessary assistance to countries that share these approaches. The Minister expressed readiness for close cooperation between Belarus and China within the framework of this Initiative.

During the ministerial meeting of the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter, as well as at the high-level event organized at the initiative of the President of Ghana, which was dedicated to the development of international cooperation for the return and restitution of cultural property and heritage, the approaches of the Minister of Foreign Affairs were voiced.

In particular, in his speech at the meeting of the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter, attention was drawn to ensuring the norms of international law, as well as the need to intensify international efforts to ensure compliance with the provisions of the UN Charter. We call for the use of various channels of interaction with UN member states in order to build confidence and reduce the conflict potential in the world.

The event, organized by Ghana, supported the efforts of African states to return cultural property, ensure historical justice and redress the damage caused during colonialism. It is proposed to increase international efforts in this area through scientific communities, historians, as well as museums, archives and libraries. The attention of participants was drawn to the need to return geographical features in Africa to their original names. This initiative of the Minister aroused keen interest from the participants of the event and was supported.

A number of bilateral meetings were also held on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

The head of the Foreign Ministry met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and thanked him for supporting the peace initiatives of the Belarusian side. The UN Secretary General highly appreciated Belarus’ contribution to the UN.

The meeting with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was devoted to the consideration of projects promising for implementation by WHO in Belarus, including access to the procurement of medicines on international platforms, training programs for specialists, the use of experience in the field of radiation impact on human health and others.

During the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman Badr al-Busaidi, the parties stressed the warm nature of relations between the leaders of the two states. Prospects for the implementation of joint projects with the participation of Omani investments, including the creation of assembly plants of Belarusian equipment in the field of food and baby food production, were considered. Issues of cultural and educational exchanges, including upcoming tours of Belarusian and Omani creative teams and exchange of students, were touched upon. The parties noted the growth of tourist flows and the interest of Omani citizens to receive medical services in Belarus, stressing the importance of work to launch direct flights between the countries. Badr al-Busaidi announced the appointment of the first ever Ambassador of Oman with a residence in Minsk and his imminent arrival in Belarus.

During the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Maka Bochorishvili, the parties expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the political dialogue over the past year and a half. The interlocutors noted the positive dynamics of trade and economic cooperation. The importance of the work of the bilateral intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation was emphasized. The ministers exchanged views on the situation in the region and stressed the importance of continuing contacts at international venues. The growth of mutual tourist flows and contacts between the citizens of the two countries was noted with satisfaction.

Negotiations on the development of the Eurasian Charter for Diversity and Multipolarity in the XXI Century have started in New York.