National SDG Coordinator Mr. Tatarinovich, 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ryzhenkov,

Minister of Energy Mr. Moroz, 

Excellencies,

Distinguished colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

2026 marks 40 years since the Chernobyl disaster. Today we come together to remember all who were affected, to acknowledge the communities that have carried this legacy for decades, and to honor the resilience that continues to define the country. It is also a moment to reflect on lessons learned and on the work that still lies ahead.

The long-term consequences of Chernobyl remain a shared responsibility.  Over time, the response has evolved from emergency assistance to long-term recovery and sustainable development. That shift has required sustained national leadership, international cooperation and, above all, a clear focus on people.

As the SDG integrator and operational backbone for the UN development system, UNDP works closely with UN partners to support coordinated international engagement on the long‑term consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. UNDP’s support is grounded in a key principle: development efforts must improve people’s lives in a tangible way.

Over the years, UNDP supported more than 200 initiatives in Chernobyl-affected regions in Belarus on healthcare, economic development, environmental protection, and social inclusion. 

We invested in environmental initiatives that restored vital ecosystems, strengthened hazardous‑waste management, and expanded environmental education for young people.

We advanced efforts to reduce risks of non‑communicable diseases and promote healthy lifestyles, and during the pandemic we supplied essential medical equipment.

We supported agriculture and local enterprises to help rebuild livelihoods, create jobs, and stimulate local markets.

In 2024–2025, with UNDP support, Belarus prepared regional sustainable development strategies through 2040, aligning national priorities with the SDGs and placing people and quality of life at the center.

In the Gomel, Mogilev and Brest regions, this translates into a clear focus on the development of Chernobyl-affected areas through inclusive economic growth and improved living conditions.

To turn these priorities into action, UNDP has supported 15 local initiatives in these regions. They equipped young people with future-ready skills, established robotics laboratories for children and youth, and introduced AI-based solutions to improve medical decision-making. Initiatives also expanded access to inclusive education for children with special needs and strengthened support systems for people with disabilities.

Looking forward, our commitment to the sustainable development of Chernobyl-affected regions is further reinforced.

The new UNDP Country Programme for Belarus for 2026-2030 places a strong focus on Chernobyl-affected areas. It sets three priorities: revitalizing local economies, improving healthcare and service delivery, especially in rural areas, and supporting targeted initiatives for sustainable development.

Delivering on these priorities requires innovative partnerships. 

UNDP serves as a platform that brings together national and international stakeholders around shared priorities, helping to scale solutions that work. The concrete outcomes for the people and nature in Chernobyl-affected areas would not have been possible without the continued support of government counterparts, donors and partners. And we continue to bring new partners to the coordinated efforts. 

In 2026, UNDP and the Ministry of Health launched a new project focused on improving healthcare in Chernobyl-affected areas. This project is funded by the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund initiated by China. We highly value the contribution of Global Development Initiative to accelerating SDGs as well as its commitment to UN-centered multilateralism and people-centered development.

This partnership also reflects a broader trend, as countries of the Global South increasingly contribute innovation, growth, and practical solutions through South‑South cooperation, which has become an important pillar for scaling up development and institutional capacity‑building.

The project focuses on developing an Interregional healthcare center in Mozyr City Hospital in Gomel Region. It will serve the city and adjacent districts that were most affected by the Chernobyl disaster, covering a total population of around 250,000 people.

The project will improve access to healthcare, including faster diagnostics, more timely treatment and reduced waiting times. Most importantly, it will strengthen the ability to provide life-saving care within the critical “golden hour.”

As we mark 40 years since the Chernobyl disaster, we honor not only the progress achieved, but above all the strength and resilience of the people whose lives were forever changed. Their stories, their hopes, and their future remain at the heart of everything we do — and they remind us how much work still lies ahead.

The sustainable development of Chernobyl‑affected regions is a long‑term commitment. It demands an integrated approach, innovative partnerships, coordinated action, and above all, a clear focus on people - their wellbeing, their dignity, and their future.

UNDP remains unwavering in this mission. We stand with Belarus on its development path, guided by the belief that development is meaningful only when it improves lives. We will continue working to ensure that every community, every family, and every individual has the opportunity to recover, to grow, and to thrive. No one should be left behind. 

Thank you.