Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection,

Distinguished colleagues, participants, and guests,

It’s a privilege to join you at the 18th Republican Ecological Forum.

The agenda before us is both timely and critical.

As we convene today, climate change affects every nation on Earth.

At UNDP, we see the next frontier of global development clearly: advancing human wellbeing while radically reducing environmental pressure.

This is the promise of nature-based human development — and the core commitment of our mission.

This approach tackles three interconnected challenges at once:

• Mitigating and adapting to climate change;

• Protecting biodiversity;

• And improving quality of life for all.

Here in Belarus, this vision is not abstract theory. For three decades, UNDP has delivered tangible results that bridge national strategies with local impact.

UNDP takes pride in contributing to key strategic frameworks that chart the country’s sustainable transformation — The National Action Plans on Green Economy and the National Strategy for the Development of Circular Economy.

With UNDP’s support, Belarus now features next-generation climate policies — notably, the first National Climate Change Adaptation Plan and the Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy until 2050.

To protect Belarus’ unique ecosystems, UNDP helped restore more than 70,000 ha of peatlands.

By promoting ecotourism, we are creating a powerful connection between environmental protection and local economic growth.

Since 2006, we have supported 187 local environmental initiatives run by Belarusian CSOs worth over $7 million.

At the same time, the Climate Box initiative is bringing climate education into every classroom – equipping teachers and students with tools to lead by example.

And yet, the pressure to limit global warming to 1.5°C is only growing.

That is why UNDP warmly welcomes Belarus’ firm commitment to raising its national climate ambition.

Together, we are now working to shape the third Nationally Determined Contribution— a document that will guide the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

NDC 3.0 is more than numbers. It is designed to be transformative:

• By including the voices of women and youth.

• Through advancing scalable nature-based solutions, and

• And by ensuring Belarus is fully aligned with the global priorities.

This is how ambition becomes action: through meaningful participation that leaves no one behind and leverages the power of nature itself.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The climate action is not merely a moral imperative. It is an opportunity for building a stronger economy. For creating green jobs and securing sustainable livelihoods.

Let us leave this Forum not only with new ideas, but with renewed determination — to turn ideas into a lived reality where people and nature strive together.

Thank you.