Author<br><br>Khalid Taimur Akram

Author

Khalid Taimur Akram

Executive Director,
Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared (PRCCSF), Islamabad

Recent Trends in Sustainable Development: Analyzing Successful model of Belarus

Belarus emerged as a sovereign state after the disintegration of the Soviets Union. Since its independence, the country has pursued a gradual strategic path, characterized by robust reforms, economic diversity, and advanced expansion of the public-private sector. Due to structural policy transformation, Belarus has been witnessing prosperity. The reason of its regional progress is the dynamic policies by the first and only President, His Excellency Alexander Lukashenko.  His efficacious policies and plans enabled Belarus to enhance its global outreach and emerge as a resilient country. He has opened doors for many opportunities to proactively lay down solid foundations towards a new vision for a competitive, inclusive, and dynamic Belarus. Sustainable economic development is the key focus at the core of this advanced vision. In this aspect, the Belarusian model of a socially-oriented market economy system is worth mentioning. Belarus a highly efficient economy with well-developed private enterprise and market infrastructure, efficacious government regulation, stimulating entrepreneurs to expand and improve production, and employees – to work better. Moreover, Belarusian government has been extending efforts for sustainable infrastructure planning and ecosystem while mitigating environmental threats vis-à-vis 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2030).

Recent Trends in Sustainable Development: Ecological Imperatives

As per an assessment of a report, Belarus emits about 0.2% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Prior to independence, Belarus’s annual GHG emissions were over 50% greater than over the past decade. Total emissions declined dramatically by 7 percent compared to the previous years, and a reduction of 42 percent compared to 1990 levels. While analyzing the latest trends in Belarusian sustainable progress, it is significant to highlight three major aspects of the ecological system, i.e., ‘’man-environment-economy’’ nexus. These three dimensions are interlinked. Environment per se, natural resources. The process of man/environment interaction and environmental policy support the ecological imperative amid social activities. In this aspect, Belarus has successfully implemented the following indicators:

  1. Tracking and evaluating the condition and changes in the environment’s capacity, including the capacity of ecosystems used for economic purposes
  2. Implementing a set of activities designed to gradually reduce the human pressure on the environment, maintain stability and restore the natural ecosystem of Belarus to protect human health.
  3. Elaborating and formulating an ecological policy based on the ecological imperative – a requirement by which ecological concerns are to be mainstreamed into socioeconomic development policies.

From the above assertions, it has been clear that Belarus has taken a number of pragmatic steps to promote and ensure environmental sustainability. Belarus is committed to implement Agenda 2030 at all three levels: national, regional, and global. For example, in 2017, at the UN headquarters in New York, Belarus presented its voluntary national review, which reflected the start-up approaches to achieving a number of SDGs. In 2018, the Regional SDGs Coordination Leaders Forum for countries of Europe and Central Asia was organized. Its goal was to foster collaboration between national institutions responsible for achieving the SDGs. In 2019, a broad-based National Forum on Sustainable Development was held. Belarus participated in all the events, showing seriousness to curb common challenges. Under the dynamic leadership of President Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus has planned to develop climate action plans for all the key sectors of the state’s economy this year. The plans will cover climate change mitigation, agriculture and forestry adaptation, low-carbon development and many other areas.

Dynamic, Resilient, and Inclusive Belarus:

Belarus has very high chances to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, considering that almost all of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)were fulfilled ahead of schedule. The total land areas with conditions for the conservation of biological diversity have increased because of robust planning. In this aspect, the situation with the availability of housing and services has also improved in the country. World leaders recognized the significant success of such plans and appreciated Belarus’ efforts towards a sustainable ecosystem.  Moreover, Belarus has electrified its transport infrastructure and invested in energy efficiency and sustainability. It has also been actively supporting decentralized solar energy systems with a special focus on hospitals, schools and other public buildings.

Socioeconomic security is closely related to ecological security – a prerequisite for sustainable development. It reflects how well human life, health and living environment are protected against possible harmful effects of natural disasters and technological emergencies. The current level of ecological security in Belarus is associated with sustainable development goals. Nature conservation activities undertaken in the country brought successful outcomes by enhancing the quality of the environment to certain levels. Thus, the current trends, policies, and global & national imperatives reflect the strategic goal of sustainable development in Belarus as the dynamic improvement of public welfare. Moreover, the visionary leadership along with state’s departments are working for cultural enrichment and morals of people based on intellectual and innovative economic development and environment conservation for the present and future generations.

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