Vadim Sinyavsky met with the Permanent Representative of the UN Development Programme in Belarus

Vadim Sinyavsky acquainted Liu Renfei with the areas of activity of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, its structure and role in ensuring the functioning of the State System for the Prevention and Elimination of Emergencies, and also informed about the active participation of the Ministry in UN initiatives in the field of emergency prevention and elimination, including the UN Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction for 2021-2030, activities within the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the UN International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), the UN Economic Commission for Europe on the transboundary effects of industrial accidents and the transport of dangerous goods.

The Minister noted the successful joint implementation of an international technical assistance project aimed at adapting the emergency response system to the global epidemiological situation.

Reference:The international technical assistance project “Adaptation of the emergency response system of the Republic of Belarus to function in the conditions of an unfavorable global epidemiological situation associated with COVID-19” is being implemented at the expense of donor funds from the Russian Federation with the support of UNDP. As part of the project, the material and technical base of the medical and psychological services of the Republican special forces unit “ZUBR”, the Educational Center for Life Safety have been strengthened, a website for the Center of Safety with a virtual tour has been developed, specialists from the Ministry of Emergency Situations have been trained in the field of organizing teaching and providing first aid, and the use of biofeedback technologies in psychological practice.

Vadim Sinyavsky expressed interest in developing cooperation with the UN Development Programme to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Increasing the resilience of the Republic of Belarus to climate risks was highlighted as a relevant area. The head of the rescue agency proposed that UNDP combine efforts in creating conditions for the timely detection of dangerous meteorological and other natural phenomena, early notification of the population about them, effective response and life support of the population in the emergency zone.

Liu Renfei noted that UNDP operates in the Republic of Belarus based on the country’s national priorities, and invited the Ministry of Emergency Situations to join the development of a new Country Program for 2026-2030 with the aim of including increased emergency preparedness as one of the priorities. The UNDP Resident Representative noted that the climate agenda is a favorable area for joint cooperation, and UNDP and the Ministry of Emergency Situations are natural partners. Liu Renfei noted that UNDP currently prioritizes innovative areas, including forms of partnership between the countries of the “global South”.

The parties also emphasized the successful joint implementation of an international technical assistance project aimed at adapting the emergency response system to the global epidemiological situation and expressed satisfaction with its results.

Reference:The international technical assistance project “Adaptation of the emergency response system of the Republic of Belarus to function in the conditions of an unfavorable global epidemiological situation associated with COVID-19” is being implemented at the expense of donor funds from the Russian Federation with the support of UNDP. As part of the project, the material and technical base of the medical and psychological services of the Republican special forces unit “ZUBR”, the Educational Center for Life Safety have been strengthened, a website for the OCSL with a virtual tour has been developed, specialists from the Ministry of Emergency Situations have been trained in the field of organizing teaching and providing first aid, and the use of biofeedback technologies in psychological practice.

During the excursion to the Security Education Center, the UNDP delegation in Belarus got acquainted with its capabilities. The guests were introduced to training sites on transport security, emergency safety, civil defense and fire safety, as well as environmental and criminal safety, ecosystem safety and healthy lifestyle. In addition, they visited interactive training sites on hazardous meteorological phenomena, nuclear and radiation safety, and also got acquainted with the youth anti-drug site.