Volozhin Region
Executive Committee

Vladimir Karanik, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, met with a delegation from Russia’s Komi Republic led by Government Chairman Dmitry Bratynenko, BelTA learned from the National Academy of Sciences.

The parties discussed promising areas of cooperation, including in mechanical engineering, agriculture, and biotechnology, as well as the possibility of supplying equipment for processing mineral raw materials under low-temperature conditions.

Vladimir Karanik noted the high potential for cooperation, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue for the successful implementation of any projects and planned initiatives.

In turn, Dmitry Bratynenko stated that in a rapidly changing world, it is important to preserve not only economic but also cultural ties, as well as a shared historical heritage.

In 2023, the Research Center for Animal Husbandry of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Institute for Retraining and Advanced Training of Agricultural Workers of the Komi Republic signed an agreement on scientific cooperation. From 2023 to 2026, mutual consultations were conducted on various areas of animal husbandry, including feeding, selection and breeding, housing technologies, and the use of DNA and biotechnologies.

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During his visit to the Budki dairy complex at the Krinichnaya experimental agricultural enterprise, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko set the task of lowering the cost of building dairy complexes, BelTA has learned.

After getting familiar with how work is organized at the dairy farm, results of their work, and future development plans, the head of state stated: “Expensive. We need to find ways to make it cheaper.”

“Certainly, a very expensive complex. A luxury complex. We cannot build like this one everywhere. But naturally it has to produce results,” the president concluded.

The dairy complex is not a good fit for mass replication across the country. Chairman of the Gomel Oblast Executive Committee Ivan Krupko agreed with that. In his words, in the course of making plans for building more dairy complexes in the region they are adjusting the designs in order to optimize them and get rid of all the excessive features. “It is never too late to learn. We correct every complex. We make [use] more concrete,” he clarified. “It is a design of the year 2020. We’ve fully implemented it. We are having discussions at the level of the government, the ministry. We are working out measures and getting rid of everything we can remove.”

“You have to be frugal,” the head of state stressed. “We need to come up with a scheme that would make them fight tooth and nail to bring down the cost.”

Some argue that agricultural enterprises build facilities with their own money and have the right to choose options. But the state subsidizes agriculture, the president pointed out. “We could save money for other projects,” he emphasized. 

The Budki dairy farm, which the head of state visited, was commissioned in 2024. The farm has 927 head of cattle, including 600 dairy cows. At the same time the farm is designed for more than 3,100 head of cattle, including 1,200 dairy cows. As the head of state was informed, once the farm reaches full capacity, it is expected to sell about 40 tonnes of milk per day.

In the future a cattle fattening camp is supposed to be built at the experimental agricultural enterprise. It is a specially equipped area used during the warm season for keeping, feeding, and milking animals on or near pastures.

Ivan Krupko reported to the president that the Gomel Oblast Executive Committee had decided to build 160 calf nurseries designed to keep 26,000 calves across the region. Work has already begun on all of these facilities. “Keep in mind: calf nurseries are not a solution to all problems with livestock mortality. And veterinary medicine is also not the key thing. You need organization and a proper attitude towards the animals,” the head of state emphasized.

The president also recalled a recent instruction regarding the use of wood for building calf barns. At the same time, it is important to observe construction technologies and not spend excessive money on this. “Wood should be used. The key thing is to observe the technologies. There is no need to invent things and spend crazy money,” he added.

The Belarusian leader touched upon the topic of agriculture in these areas and spoke highly of the local farming standards. “Beyond the Pripyat River the farming standards are very high not only for the Pripyat districts but for the country as a whole. If it is like this everywhere,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

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Gosatomnadzor has found no excess of radionuclides in water or food in the contaminated zone in recent years, First Deputy Head of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor) Leonid Dedul said in BelTA’s project The Nation Speaks.

According to Leonid Dedul, over the past four years, no cases of radionuclide exceedances have been detected in drinking water (from both closed and open sources in populated areas within the contaminated territory), nor in milk or meat. “This indicates that the measures taken allow us to keep the situation under control. We can now rightly focus on the socio-economic development of the affected regions,” Leonid Dedul said.

Over the past ten years, the situation has stabilized, and the focus has now shifted to the development of this territory. “We are moving forward within the framework of sustainable development,” he noted.

Six state programs have been implemented to address the consequences of the Chernobyl accident. Under these programs, more than 2,500 instruments and pieces of equipment (some funded by the state budget) have been delivered to organizations that conduct radiation monitoring. These include the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Forestry Ministry. “These organizations oversee production facilities that have to monitor incoming raw materials and final products for sale. We cannot afford a single mistake,” Leonid Dedul stressed.

Control and permissible levels for radionuclide content in products grown or produced on the contaminated territory are quite stringent in Belarus. “Our republic has very tough requirements. And over the past five years, no cases have been recorded of incoming raw materials exceeding the limits for food products or any production materials,” he added. 

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Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has called for a more active push to develop the country’s beef cattle sector as he visited the Agro-Lyaskovichi dairy complex on 26 April, BelTA has learned.

The president advised paying attention to the Hereford cattle breed. This breed is raised, for example, by a farm in Dribin District, which the head of state visited not long ago. This breed is undemanding in terms of upkeep, produces good weight gains, and is well-suited to Belarus’ climatic conditions.
The president was informed that Gomel Oblast is engaged in pedigree livestock farming, and there are farms that raise beef cattle and export their products.

“Well done, keep selling. We have plenty of meat. The fact that you’re selling on foreign markets is good. That brings in foreign currency,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
“We need to develop this more actively,” the head of state said about raising beef cattle breeds. “There will be demand.” The president noted that global demand is growing for both food and fertilizers, and prices are rising along with it.

“I think our time is coming. It wasn’t for nothing that we invested in agriculture,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.

One of the advantages of this type of agricultural activity is the ability to keep older animals outdoors without creating special conditions or requiring intensive care, unlike dairy farming.

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The Faculty of International Relations at Belarusian State University (BSU) hosted a Model UN simulation to mark the upcoming International Delegate’s Day celebrated on 25 April, BelTA has learned.

The UN simulations model is an educational role‑playing game in which students simulate the work of the UN’s bodies. As Belarusian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov stressed, diplomats today need to find compromises more than ever. In addition, it is important to ensure that national interests are taken into account within various international organizations and, when necessary, to build alternative channels of cooperation in the financial, political, economic and humanitarian spheres.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to increase practical cooperation with the Faculty of International Relations. “We want students to experience this role‑playing format and immersion into the work of an international delegate, to be able to see different aspects of this activity from the inside. This will allow them to carefully study the modern approaches of different states and to demonstrate their own abilities in the process,” Maxim Ryzhenkov added.

At the event, dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident, the minister stressed that Belarus has transformed from a recipient that the whole world helped into a major expert whose opinion is listened to. “The country now acts as a powerful expert center for those who face similar man‑made disasters or seek to build reliable early‑warning systems for such catastrophes. This anniversary also serves as a reminder of the heroes who not only took part in the initial emergency response but continue to deal with complex issues in healthcare, medical services and scientific and technical support,” he said.

BSU Rector Andrei Korol noted that the university is not only a place for transferring knowledge and personal development but also a platform for building bridges between generations and countries. “This year the event is dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident. This date once again shows that alongside high technologies in the nuclear sphere and the IT industry, there are other, equally important humanitarian technologies that teach us to negotiate and to hear one another,” he said.

“The establishment of the International Delegate’s Day is a recognition of the key role of diplomats in building a sustainable and just world order. It is a reminder that behind the strict wording of reports and resolutions lies the meticulous daily work of those who know how to hear and listen, to find boundaries even where only contradictions might seem to exist. This is especially important in times of crisis. Holding the model UN simulation gives each delegate the opportunity to become that very bridge‑builder between people of different cultures, opinions and views,” said a second‑year student Adelina Adeola Adedeji, from Faculty of International Relations.

Attending the event were also honorary guests and UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus Rasul Baghirov.

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Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested revisiting the approaches to the content and implementation of the One District-One Project program as he spoke at a seminar-conference on agricultural services, the organization of repair and restoration of agricultural machines and vehicles on 24 April, BelTA has learned.

“We will discuss this issue at a meeting in the near future,” said the Belarusian leader. “We need to analyze both reclamation and these issues. After some time, we need to analyze how we will move forward.” The president noted that when selecting projects for implementation, many were counting on large amounts of funding. But the focus should have been primarily on feasibility and economic efficiency. And in this sense, the restoration across the country of a network of agricultural service enterprises for the repair and production of agricultural machinery may well be precisely the kind of projects for districts that are needed.

“Everyone thought there would be easy money, 154 projects under the One District-One Project program. They aimed high, but not everything was completed. But agricultural machinery and district agricultural service centers, regional service centers are exactly that kind of project. And in some places, even more important than creating five jobs and stamping plastic, making some bags, and so on. Perhaps that is also needed. But this [the development of district agricultural service centers] is good projects that need to be implemented. And if someone invested money intended for the One District-One Project program in such areas or projects, I think that is not bad,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

“This is actually a good investment,” he added.

Similarly, according to the president, the same approach should be taken in other areas: construction, road building, and others. “There too, we need to examine and think about how we will continue to move forward with these projects under the One District-One Project program,” he said.

The president noted that perhaps not everywhere is there a pressing, urgent need to invest in implementing a new project at the local level, nor are there available labor resources everywhere to do so, and creating the appropriate infrastructure to attract them would require additional investments. “We need to approach this wisely. Perhaps in some district we don’t need this project. And we could transfer those funds to some other project. If, for example, in Polotsk they decided to build a new milk processing plant, well, maybe we should concentrate the money and build that enterprise instead,” he said, offering one possible example.

Another example is projects for modern fish farms to raise valuable fish species. One such farm, in the southeast of Mogilev Oblast, the president recently visited. “We have an enormous, open market. They are making excellent products. God willing, we can properly saturate our own market. We already know how to do it. Well done. Previously, they would buy fry and raise it (like fattening a calf). Now they have obtained their own roe and raised fry from that roe - a closed cycle. The external market is big, and the Russians are ready to buy. Why not invest money, and quickly, to get a good return?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked rhetorically. In his opinion, about ten such fish farms could easily be set up across the country, creating jobs and making good money.

“There are many such projects. They are primarily connected with land, construction, repair, and restoration [of equipment] - all things we know how to do. We don’t need to invent anything,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

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Negotiations between Belarusian Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin and the head of Myanmar’s military delegation, Quartermaster General of the country’s Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Zaw Myo Tin were held at the Central House of Officers in Minsk, the Defense Ministry told BelTA. 

The sides discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation, including its economic aspects. 

“Your visit to Belarus not only confirms mutual interest in cooperation but will also greatly contribute to the implementation of the provisions of the cooperation roadmap for 2026-2028, which was signed in November 2025,” Viktor Khrenin noted. 

Zaw Myo Tin emphasized that the positive dynamics of high-level cooperation meet the national interests of both states and confirm the mutual trust between the armed forces of Belarus and Myanmar. “The defense ministries of our countries successfully find common ground, opening up new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation,” he said. “We experienced an earthquake. In that situation the Belarusian side provided support. On behalf of Myanmar and the Myanmar people, I want to thank you for that.”

The day before the foreign delegation visited Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) where they held a meeting with the enterprise’s management and familiarized themselves with the products the company makes. The visit program also includes trips to a number of other Belarusian enterprises in Minsk and Vitebsk.

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Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed decree No.138 “On adding the winners of contests of 2021-2025 and of 2025 to the Republican Board of Honor” on 23 April, the press service of the head of state told BelTA.

The decree identifies the winners of the contests that have achieved high results in the field of social and economic development. 

Based on results of their work in 2021-2025, the winners are Brest Oblast, Minsk Oblast, and Mogilev Oblast.

Winners of last year are Brest Oblast and Minsk Oblast as well as the city of Minsk. The winning districts are Zhabinka District and Kamenets District in Brest Oblast, Nesvizh District and Soligorsk District in Minsk Oblast, Gorky District in Mogilev Oblast. The winning cities and city districts are the city of Brest, and Moskovsky District and Pervomaisky District in Minsk.

Apart from that, based on results of the work in 2025, 53 winners have been identified among organizations. They operate in manufacturing sector, civil engineering, agriculture, fishing industry, forestry industry, and the service sector. 

All winners of the contests have been awarded the right to be added to the Republican Board of Honor, which will traditionally allow stimulating the best regions and organizations and will also serve as public recognition of the work of the worker collectives of the enterprises that have made a significant contribution to the social and economic development and well-being of the country.

The renovated Republican Board of Honor will be unveiled on the eve of Labor Day.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) considers Belarus an expert in overcoming the consequences of radiation accidents. First Deputy Head of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor) Leonid Dedul mentioned it in BelTA’s project The Nation Speaks. 

Scientific support, especially in the first years after the Chernobyl accident, was important both for protective measures and for the development of the regions exposed to radioactive contamination.

“With the start of the implementation of the first nuclear energy program of the Republic of Belarus, we reviewed and expanded the circle of scientific organizations providing scientific and technical support for regulatory activities in the field of ensuring nuclear and radiation safety. This list, approved by a government resolution, includes 18 experienced organizations that have long worked on Chernobyl-related matters, including the scientific division of our Polesie State Radioecological Reserve, the International Sakharov Environmental Institute of BSU, institutes of the National Academy of Sciences, including the Joint Institute for Energy and Nuclear Research Sosny,” said Leonid Dedul.

Scientific work was carried out within the framework of six state programs aimed at implementing measures related to the Chernobyl accident. “These measures have been included by us in the state scientific and technical program Radiation Safety Infrastructure. More fundamental scientific work related to the development of nuclear energy is part of the Academy of Sciences’ state program Science for the Society and the Economy. There are a number of tasks that we have formulated and plan to implement during the upcoming five-year period. Results of scientific work allow us to make timely management decisions and submit them to the government, including for revising population centers and returning agricultural lands to use. Since 1993 more than 20,000 hectares have been brought back into agricultural use,” he noted.

This year also marks the start of the IAEA project “Improving the safe management of nuclear legacy sites”. “This concept appeared for the first time in the field of nuclear and national security in 2023. Such facilities include, among others, the territory of the Polesie State Radioecological Reserve. This project also provides for the implementation of measures related to enhancing the capabilities of the reserve’s scientific division and conducting work,” said Leonid Dedul.

In his words, the IAEA is interested in working with Belarus and considers the Republic of Belarus an expert in overcoming the consequences of radiation accidents thanks to the work carried out by all scientific organizations, in particular in the Polesie reserve.

“In regulatory documents we proceed from the principles of nuclear and radiation safety stipulated by IAEA documents, which were used in the preparation of the law on safety regulation in the use of atomic energy, the amendment of the law on radiation safety, and regulatory documents of the Emergencies Ministry. This allows us to comprehensively and consistently prioritize safety when working with nuclear heritage facilities and nuclear energy across all regulatory documents,” he emphasized.

Apart from that, scientific work makes it possible to improve the quality of medical services. Measures for their provision are also stipulated by the future Union State program for 2026-2029.

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Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has extended Independence Day greetings to President Isaac Herzog of Israel, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader.

The head of state noted that the Jewish people have centuries-old traditions, including religious and educational ones, which continue to shape the foundations of modern Israeli society’s identity.

“Famous spiritual centers, yeshivas, once operated on Belarusian soil,” the message of greetings reads. “People from our counrty were among the founders of the State of Israel. All of this brings our two peoples closer together, as both have endured the shared hardships of World War II and the tragedy of the Holocaust.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that Belarusians know well what war means and therefore consistently advocate for the peaceful resolution of conflicts. “The events in the Middle East cause concern and pain in our hearts, but we hope for the swift restoration of calm in the region,” he added.

“As the situation normalizes, Minsk is ready to expand contacts and cooperation in the fields of education, medicine, technology, agriculture, and tourism,” the Belarusian leader said. “I am convinced that our shared historical heritage and close human ties will continue to serve as the foundation for constructive dialogue between Belarus and Israel.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko wished Isaac Herzog excellent health and success, and a happy life and prosperity to the people of Israel.

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