First Deputy Chairperson Viktar Biruk, 
Distinguished guests, 
Ladies and gentlemen, 

It is a great honour to join you today at this important working meeting focused on shaping the future of Belarus’ leather and footwear industry. By bringing together manufacturers, technologists, marketers, policymakers, and financial sector representatives, today’s event serves as a platform to build a shared and forward-looking vision for this strategically important sector. 

UNDP’s presence here reflects our continued commitment to supporting sustainable economic transformation that aligns with Belarus’ national development priorities and the SDGs. 

As the UN’s leading development agency, UNDP operates in over 170 countries, helping to reduce poverty, address inequality, and enhance resilience. We bring expertise in strategic planning, policy support, innovation, capacity building, and the facilitation of cross-sector partnerships. 

In Belarus, our collaboration with the Government, private sector, and the civil society spans over three decades and has delivered tangible results in key areas: 

• Supporting entrepreneurship and start-ups by expanding access to finance, building business competencies, and equipping entrepreneurs with future-ready skills; 

• Providing expert support in green economy transition, including the development of the National Strategy for Circular Economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and ESG integration into business models; 

• Advancing integrated national financing frameworks for the SDGs, and designing project-based models to attract additional funding for innovative projects; 

• Promoting digitalisation, skills development, and inclusive growth as critical enablers of a modern economy; 

• Strengthening healthcare and social protection systems, including the provision of advanced medical equipment and support for people with disabilities. 

To date, UNDP has mobilized over $80 million for sustainable development initiatives across the country — from supporting Chernobyl-affected regions to enabling nationwide entrepreneurship. 

The theme of today’s meeting is fully aligned with UNDP work and with Belarus’ National Strategy for Sustainable Development until 2040, particularly the priorities related to: 

• Transitioning to a new technological paradigm in industry, with a focus on deep processing of domestic raw materials; 

• Building inter-sectoral production chains based on sustainable partnerships, including international cooperation; 

• Introducing resource-efficient, green technologies and circular business models. 

The leather and footwear industry in Belarus, like in many countries, is facing intensifying pressures: rapid technological change, evolving consumer behaviour, and shifting trade dynamics. These trends call for a strategic and adaptive approach that ensures the sector’s sustainability, competitiveness, and resilience. 

Beyond its economic importance, the leather and footwear industry supports employment, export potential, and more sustainable consumption. Its future, however, may depend on how well it adapts to new challenges and opportunities. 

First, innovation and digitalisation could guide progress through circular practices, reduced waste, and the gradual integration of advanced technologies. 

Second, ongoing skills development may help workers keep pace with changes in sustainable production and digital tools. 

Third, greater inclusion, especially meeting the needs of persons with disabilities, could bring both social value and new market potential. 

In this context, UNDP sees the development of a Strategic Plan for Belarus’ leather and footwear industry as a timely and essential blueprint — one that addresses today’s challenges while positioning the industry to capitalize on emerging global opportunities. 

I would also like to highlight the pilot initiative on adaptive clothing for persons with disabilities, which UNDP is proud to launch in partnership with Bellegprom. This initiative exemplifies how social inclusion and market innovation can go hand in hand. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Transformation of this scale requires shared responsibility, strong coordination, and alignment with both national strategies and international trends. 

Today’s meeting is a key step in that direction and UNDP stands ready to support this journey with global expertise, innovative partnerships, and solutions tailored for long-term impact. 

I encourage each of you to approach today’s discussions with both ambition and pragmatism to envision not just where the sector is, but where it can and should be by 2030 and beyond. 

Thank you.