Minsk, 25 July 2006 - The UN Office in Belarus hosted a presentation of the report “National Millennium Development Goals: a Framework for Action” prepared by the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS (RBEC) with the assistance of the UNDP regional country offices.

The report reviews the progress in 32 Central and Eastern European and the CIS countries and territories in achieving the nationally adopted Millennium Development Goals in such spheres as poverty eradication, ensuring access to education, promotion of gender equality, improving maternal and child’s health, combating HIV/AIDS and other major diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability. The document is based on the national MDG reports, including Belarus’ national report which was released in September 2005.

“The MDG reports – both national and regional – are intended to spur action, promote necessary reforms, and support the cross-country application of best practices”, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus Cihan Sultanoglu pointed out in her statement during the presentation.

As she said, Belarus has well advanced in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. However, this should not be a reason for complacency. Belarus is currently facing the challenge of setting more ambitious goals and targets on its human development agenda. The United Nations Development Programme and other UN agencies stand ready to provide any necessary assistance to Belarus in this area.

For more information, please contact Vladimir Shcherbov, Advisor to the UN RC, ph. 227-48-76, or Vladislav Khilkevich, UNDP Communications Associate, ph. 227-38-17.

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