LocationsSupported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Belarus, the Vitebsk Regional Forum on Sustainable Development took place in Orsha on August 15, 2025. The event brought together representatives of the UN agencies, the National SDG Coordinator, local officials, as well as members of the business community, academic institutions, and youth leaders.
Sustainable Development: From Concept to Implementation. Orsha Hosted the Vitebsk Regional Forum on Sustainable Development
August 19, 2025
Photo: UNDP Belarus
The Forum provided an opportunity to share experiences, address challenges, and explore solutions for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level.
A key focus of the event was the Regional Sustainable Development Strategy of the Vitebsk Oblast through 2040, developed with expert support from UNDP and recently approved by the local authorities. This strategy builds on the National Sustainable Development Strategy 2040, while reflecting the region’s unique strengths, needs, and priorities.
The participants explored practical examples of SDGs localization in the Vitebsk Region. Key areas of discussion included:
Transition to a circular economy and resource efficiency.
Integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards into business practices.
Promotion of inclusive tourism.
Cluster development of high-tech industries clusters.
Community engagement and youth participation in the region's development.
UNDP emphasized the importance of integrating international best practices throughout the implementation of the regional strategy and underscored the value of producing Voluntary Local Reviews as a robust tool for monitoring and communicating progress on the 2030 Agenda.
"The Vitebsk Regional Strategy until 2040 outlines a future that is innovative, green, and inclusive, stated Renfei Liu, UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus. "UNDP stands ready to support this vision - offering global expertise, networks, and resources, putting people at the center of everything we do.
Photo: UNDP Belarus
Over the past decade, UNDP has supported more than 50 projects and pilot initiatives in the Vitebsk region, with the total investment exceeding $10 million. The extensive partnership has driven progress across multiple areas, boosting local businesses, safeguarding the environment, strengthening health systems, and promoting social inclusion.
Local economic development has been at the heart of these efforts. In the Orsha and Braslav districts, UNDP has supported 13 initiatives on social entrepreneurship, cluster development, start-up incubation, and entrepreneurship support infrastructure.
In Polotsk and Novopolotsk, UNDP has contributed to green urban development , while in the Sinsha, Krasny Bor, and Osvejski Nature Reserves innovative ecotourism products and accessible ecotourism infrastructure now enable more visitors to explore the region’s natural heritage.
Within the Joint Project on Supporting the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in the Nationalization and Localization of the Sustainable Development Goals, funded by the Russian Federation, UNDP is currently supporting pilot SDG initiatives that will:
Support accessible tourism in the Braslav district,
Promote innovative startups in Orsha,
Provide training on ESG practices,
And introduce adaptive sports programs for people with visual impairments.
The first results of their implementation were presented during the Forum.
Photo: UNDP Belarus
During the official visit to the Vitebsk Region, the representatives of the UN agencies in Belarus also toured several sites of socio-economic, historical, and cultural significance.
The visit was organized by the National Coordinator for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, with the support of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.
The UN delegation included the heads and representatives of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Vitebsk became the third region, following Brest and Mogilev, to be visited by the UN country team alongside the National Coordinator for the SDGs to review progress in localizing the SDGs in Belarus.
The Vitebsk Regional Forum on Sustainable Development was held with expert and technical support from UNDP, provided under the Joint Project on Supporting the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in the Nationalization and Localization of the Sustainable Development Goals, funded by the Russian Federation.
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