Minister Aleksander Kulik, Minister of Forestry,

Ambassador Zhang Wenchuan, of the People's Republic of China,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am honoured by your presence at the launching ceremony of our new Forest Management initiative in Belarus.

Let me also welcome our partners from the Ministries of Forestry, Foreign Affairs, Economy, Emergencies and Environment, the National Academy of Sciences, my colleagues from UNDP.

Your presence here is not just ceremonial; it represents the spirit of collaboration that makes real progress possible.

For decades, the mission to build a better world via global development has united countries and societies across continents.

During that time, extreme poverty has been reduced, with child mortality halved, health systems improved, biodiversity protected, sustainable livelihoods supported.

This is what global development delivers when the world works together.

Despite remarkable progress, the world continues to face grave challenges. Persistent poverty and inequality remain sources of instability and conflict.

An estimated 400 million of the world's extreme poor will live in fragile countries within the next decade.

Let me be straight: many of the world's most pressing challenges trace their roots to underdevelopment.

This is why global development is not simply a policy choice. It is a complex web of interconnected issues, that when approached holistically, can address the root causes of multiple crises and establish foundation for lasting peace.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As a leading development agency, UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories with governments and communities to deliver tailored solutions and create opportunities.

Our mandate is clear: to empower people and make nations resilient to challenges of today and tomorrow.

Here in Belarus, this strategy translates into frontline work that delivers tangible impact.

Over three decades, UNDP Belarus has implemented a myriad of programmes ranging from environmental protection, healthcare, to economic growth and digital governance, bringing direct benefits to over 3 million people nationwide.

UNDP plays the leading role in supporting countries’ efforts to achieve the SDGs by providing access to knowledge, resources, and networks.

The progress has been made through partnerships with 12 countries, including our core traditional donors and emerging development partners.

The consistent efforts of Member States in supporting this journey deserve recognition and gratitude.

Yet, with only 17% of the SDGs on track and just five years remaining until 2030, doing business as usual will not deliver the future we are aiming for.

Therefore, we must fundamentally rethink development patterns and the ways we mobilize resources, share knowledge, and build partnerships.

Ladies and gentlemen,

No nation can tackle today's interconnected challenges alone.

UNDP works with all Member States, including China to align with international development cooperation principles that strengthen multilateral frameworks and accelerate SDG implementation.

In this context, collaboration with China's Global Development Initiative (GDI) presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen global partnership for the benefit of counties and societies.

The GDI reflects a commitment to UN-centred multilateralism and South-South Cooperation.

We believe that the GDI can contribute to accelerating the SDGs in developing countries when thoughtfully aligned with the 2030 Agenda and responds to national development priorities.

The Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund serves as the operational backbone for turning these commitments into tangible results, by channelling resources where they are most needed.

Through the targeted approach, the Fund empowers developing countries to transform ambitious concepts into concrete pilot projects.

This model represents a two-way exchange between developing countries through peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and innovative solutions. It fosters mutual learning and collaboration tailored to local contexts and priorities.

The Forestry project we are launching today exemplifies this approach.

As the first project funded by the GDF, the project isn't just about the technical challenge of forest fire prevention. Guided by demand-driven principles, it addresses the critical intersection of human needs and environmental protection in territories affected by the Chernobyl disaster.

Climate change makes these forests vulnerable to wildfires. When the forests burn, they threaten both nature and local communities, and the consequences extend far beyond the immediate affected regions.

Sustainable forestry demonstrates that environmental protection and sustainable livelihood are complementary and can be advanced in parallel.

We protect forests and safe livelihood. We build climate resilience and foster innovation. We transfer knowledge and generate economic growth.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Partnership is the engine. Local action is fuel. Sustainable development is our shared destination.

We will not allow sustainable development to remain beyond our reach. Together, we choose action, partnership, and progress.

The time is now. The engine is ready. Let’s start.

Thank you.