Volozhin Region
Executive Committee

Belarus and Kazakhstan have agreed to hold joint scientific conferences and seminars, BelTA learned from the press service of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

Chief Academic Secretary of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) Vasily Gursky is taking part in the Eurasian Economic Forum in Astana on 28-29 May under Kazakhstan’s chairmanship and in furtherance of a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council with the participation of heads of state of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Vasily Gursky met with Vice President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yelena Shevchenko. The sides discussed a broad range of issues related to strengthening bilateral scientific and technical cooperation between the two academies. Particular attention was paid to identifying effective mechanisms for implementing joint scientific and research projects.

Vasily Gursky stressed the importance of expanding inter-academy dialogue and highlighted priority areas of bilateral scientific and technical cooperation where Belarusian and Kazakh scientists see the greatest potential.

The sides agreed to organize joint scientific conferences and seminars aimed at promoting scientific achievements and attracting young people to research activities.

belta.by

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has sent congratulations to the members of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (President Vladimir Putin of Russia, President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, and President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan) on the Eurasian Economic Union Day. Congratulations were also sent to the Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Bakytzhan Sagintayev, the press service of the Belarusian leader told BelTA.

“Over the years of its work, the EAEU has become an example of a peaceful and constructive economic association whose participants respect each other’s interests and build cooperation through dialogue and compromise. This year marks a new stage of integration: the practical implementation of the Eurasian Economic Path Declaration, which defines the main development vector of the EAEU until 2030 and its long-term strategy until 2045,” the message of congratulations reads.

Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed confidence that joint efforts will ensure a high level of well-being for the peoples of the EAEU, fully unlocking its potential as a self-sufficient macro-region with technological and intellectual leadership.

The Belarusian president wished everyone good health, boundless energy, and success in achieving their goals.

belta.by

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has extended greetings to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev as the country celebrates Independence Day, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader.

“Belarus highly values the results of your course aimed at building a sovereign, developed state that is confident in its future, proud of its economic achievements and its growing international standing,” the message reads.

Aleksandr Lukashenko reaffirmed Minsk’s firm interest in advancing the strategic Belarus-Azerbaijan partnership. “I am convinced that our regular meetings, active and trust-based dialogue, as well as systematic efforts at various levels, will invariably contribute to the successful implementation of ongoing projects and the development of new bilateral initiatives,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

The Belarusian president wished Ilham Aliyev and his family good health and happiness, and extended his wishes for peace and prosperity to the people of Azerbaijan.

belta.by

Participants of the 17th Eurasia Forum of Social Workers, taking place in Minsk on 27-29 May, shared with journalists which aspects of Belarus’ experience in the social sector interest them most, BelTA has learned.

Director of the Republican Integrated Social Service Center and chairperson of the board of the Union of Social Workers of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Natalia Pakhomova, noted that for practicing professionals the forum provides an opportunity to learn about new technologies and working methods.

“We expect a great deal from Belarus. Even from the airport it was clear that Belarus is stable, colorful and welcoming. We want to learn about new technologies that help people live dignified and happy lives; how you care for older people and how efficiently you provide social services. And, of course, we hope for new connections so that social workers can build friendships, understand one another and stay on the same wavelength,” said Natalia Pakhomova.

According to her, the principles of providing social services in Belarus and in her region are similar, though there are differences. “In permafrost conditions, when eight out of 12 months are winter, the approach to children, families and most citizens is completely different. But the goal is the same: to live with dignity and make the most of one’s happy life,” she said.

A member of the Board of the Russian  Union of Social Workers and Social Educators Antonina Dashkina stressed that it is impossible to unify approaches in the social sector, as there are both broad groups in need of assistance, such as older people, and narrower categories. 

“Our task is to see what is being done, how and where, take the best practices and implement them at home,” she noted.

The forum brought together experts from more than 10 countries, including the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, the United Kingdom and the Philippines. Over two days, participants will exchange experience in healthy and active ageing, social service organization and child welfare. Afterwards, they will study the work of Belarus’ state social care and education institutions.

The Eurasia Forum of Social Workers is a leading international platform for social welfare professionals and scholars, enabling intercultural knowledge exchange and the development of social work practices. The forum was founded in 2005 by associations of social workers in Russia and the Republic of Korea. Previous events were held in Russia, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

belta.by

Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summed up the results of the ‘I want to be a diplomat’ essay contest and honored winners and laureates in Minsk on 26 May, BelTA has learned.

During the awards ceremony Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxim Ryzhenkov stressed that participation in this year’s contest exceeded expectations, rising by 60% over 2025. Some contestants have returned year after year and improved their standing, reaching the list of finalists and laureates.

The ministry received more than 350 essays from students representing 25 universities across Belarus, as well as 10 essays from final-year school students. A professional jury evaluated the works based on creativity, enthusiasm for a possible diplomatic career, patriotism, depth of analysis and an adequate understanding of diplomatic service.

There were 17 winners: 15 received smartphones as prizes, one participant won a laptop sponsored by the 5 Element electronics retail chain, and one more special prize from Maxim Ryzhenkov - a television set. All winners were invited to complete internships at the ministry at individually arranged times and take part in the annual seminar for young diplomats. Laureates will also be eligible to join the seminar.

“Since you made it here [the awards ceremony at the ministry], this diplomatic spirit and diplomatic mindset clearly beat stronger, more creatively and more interestingly in you than in others,” Maxim Ryzhenkov said, adding jokingly that the ministry uses the contest to attract young, motivated minds into the diplomatic system.

Maxim Ryzhenkov together with senior ministry officials and career diplomats later met with participants for tea, answering questions about diplomatic service as a whole and in different countries in particular, embassy and ministry work, personal career paths and qualities needed in diplomacy.

One of the essays compared a diplomatic service to a salmon swimming upstream. The metaphor described a fish that migrates vast distances yet inevitably returns home to the freshwater river where it was born, overcoming obstacles along the way. 

belta.by

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed Decree No. 170 awarding the Order of Mother on 25 May, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian head of state. 

For giving birth to and raising five or more children, the award was given to 72 residents of Brest Oblast, Gomel Oblast, Grodno Oblast, and Mogilev Oblast. Among them are representatives of the light industry, agricultural organizations, the social sector, forestry, trade, cultural institutions, education, healthcare, as well as homemakers.

The honorees include Yelena Bondarchuk, a worker at the Stolin Central District Hospital; Tatiana Kruchko, a toy parts assembler at the PP Polesie factory; Zoya Lavrenchuk, a field crop farmer at the Parakhonskoye agricultural enterprise; Yekaterina Vegero, an insurance agent at Belgosstrakh’s Gomel office; Olga Verkhovets, a forest master at the Dobrush Forestry; Irina Korneyeva, a pasteurization operator in the ice cream workshop at the Ingman Ice Cream enterprise; Olga Dishko, a software support specialist at the Golynka agricultural enterprise; Natalya Mikulich, a teacher at Grodno Secondary School No. 38; and Tamara Lukanovich, a shoe assembler at the Legpromrazvitie enterprise.

belta.by

Belarus and Libya’s plans for environmental cooperation were disclosed to BelTA by the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

Belarusian First Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Maksim Lysenko met with President of the Libyan Authority for Heritage and Wildlife Rafea Al-Aribi.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the management of protected natural areas. The Libyan delegation praised the state of Belarus’ natural environment and expressed interest in adopting Belarusian best practices in environmental legislation, managing nature reserves effectively, and implementing environmental monitoring systems.

The parties also highlighted the importance of educational programs and scientific support for the operation of protected areas.

As a promising area for further cooperation, the parties considered the possibility of launching a project in Belarus to breed rare bird species of the falcon family.

Maksim Lysenko reaffirmed the Belarusian side’s readiness for comprehensive cooperation and for providing the necessary assistance to Libyan partners in preserving natural heritage.

belta.by

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko proposed discussing EAEU-related topics during a meeting with Moldovan politician and former president Igor Dodon, who currently serves as the leader of the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), BelTA has learned.

“There is plenty to talk about. It’s very timely that we’re meeting today, especially since the EAEU summit will take place in the coming days. That union is the economic core of our commonwealth. It’s very important to hear what you have to say, your opinion, and I will certainly convey it to the heads of state I will be meeting with,” the president said.

As is known, Moldova has held observer status within the EAEU since 2018, but currently does not effectively participate in the organization’s activities at the official level.

belta.by

Matters of demographic security are key ones for every country. Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova made the statement as she met with Speaker of the Turkmenistan Parliament Dunyaguzel Gulmanova on the sidelines of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly in St. Petersburg, BelTA has learned.

Natalya Kochanova noted that Turkmenistan is a brotherly and friendly country for Belarus. The excellent relations have to do a lot with efforts of the leaders of the two countries, the speaker emphasized.

The chairwoman of the Council of the Republic drew attention to the fruitful cooperation between parliaments. She added that friendship groups have been formed in the parliaments of Belarus and Turkmenistan. 

An invitation was extended to the chairwoman of the Turkmenistan parliament to pay an official visit to Belarus. Natalya Kochanova also noted that the Belarusian side will try to take part in a number of international events to be held in Turkmenistan. At the same time, special attention was paid to the international conference on demographics, which will be held in early October.

Natalya Kochanova said that Belarus will also host the forum “A conversation about important things: Happy family – strong state” in October. This year it will go international. She invited her Turkmen colleague to take part in this event. The speaker remarked that matters of family values, demographic security, and healthcare are key ones for every country and worry all states.

The chairwoman of the Council of the Republic also offered gratitude for the participation of Turkmen children in events taking place in Belarus. In particular, she singled out the cultural and educational project The Train of Memory.

Dunyaguzel Gulmanova noted that in Turkmenistan special importance is attached to strengthening interstate cooperation with Belarus. She expressed confidence that the friendly relations established between the countries will be effectively continued in all areas of mutual interest.

belta.by

Chairperson of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova addressed the 60th plenary session of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, BelTA has learned.

Respect and equal rights

“Our organization has, without exaggeration, become the most authoritative international parliamentary forum in the CIS. Here, around the round table, on the principles of mutual respect, consideration of national interests, and equality, we develop coordinated approaches to harmonizing legislation and also joint initiatives in economy, social policy, security, and humanitarian development,” Natalya Kochanova noted.

According to the Speaker, the IPA is the venues where the very model framework is created, which underlies many national laws and advanced solutions. Today, when attempts at external interference in internal affairs do not cease, the IPA remains a reliable pillar in defending the state sovereignty of each CIS country.

“International partners show interest and seek cooperation with the CIS IPA. The circle of observers is expanding year by year. These are our joint achievements. However, they would not have been possible without the caring attentive attitude, innate leadership qualities and highest professionalism of Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council Valentina Matviyenko,” Natalya Kochanova said.

Reasons for pride

Natalya Kochanova noted that 2026 has been declared the Year of Health Protection in the Commonwealth of Independent States. According to her, this decision is timely. The health of a nation is the foundation of demographic security, economic stability, and sustainable development of any state.

“The Republic of Belarus has been consistently building a high-tech, people-oriented healthcare system. As our President Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized, there are reasons for pride in Belarusian medicine. We have preserved all the best things we inherited from the Soviet medicine and have built upon previous achievements. This strategic course is yielding real, tangible results today,” the Speaker said.

Natalya Kochanova noted that thanks to the established multi-tier system of early intervention and high-tech care, Belarus holds top international positions when it comes to low infant mortality and the conditions supporting childbirth. Behind these achievements are saved lives, the health of the nation, and the enormous efforts of Belarusian doctors.

According to her, a particular source of pride is scientific and practical centers. Belarusian surgeons perform high-tech operations in cardiology, neurosurgery, traumatology, and transplantology. 

The Program for Social and Economic Development of the Republic of Belarus for 2026-2030 defines strengthening the health of the nation as one of the key priorities of national demographic security, she noted. “We are setting specific, measurable goals for ourselves: increasing the life expectancy, reducing the overall mortality rate, and the development of preventive medicine,” the Speaker said.

Model law on radiation safety in medicine

Natalya Kochanova noted that this year marks a sorrowful anniversary - 40 years since the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. “For many countries, especially for Belarus, it was a serious ordeal. Our country gained enormous experience in eliminating the consequences of the accident, including in radiation medicine, long-term health monitoring and social protection. Part of this experience has been incorporated into the IPA model legislation. The time has come to update it. And the plans to develop a model law on radiation safety in medicine are very timely,” she added.

A healthy and happy family

The chairperson of the Council of the Republic believes it is symbolic that the 60th plenary session of the IPA is taking place just one week after the International Day of Families, which is marked on 15 May. According to her, the protection of traditional values, family values, strengthening the institution of the family, and demographic security are among the priority tasks for all CIS countries. “It is the family that lays the foundation of the physical and moral health of future generations. A healthy family means a healthy nation, and a happy family means a strong state,” she said confidently.

Given the importance of this topic, the Speaker of the Council of the Republic proposed considering a possibility of holding an event on the theme of traditional family values at the IPA. This would elevate the dialogue on family to an interparliamentary level and allow for the exchange of best practices, Natalya Kochanova emphasized.

“The joint work within the IPA, the experience we have gained and, above all, our commitment to defending the sovereign interests of our states enable us to move forward with confidence,” Natalya Kochanova added.

belta.by