On November 12, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko took part in the World Summit on Climate Change.
In his speech, the head of state outlined Belarus’ national position on issues related to climate change and the measures that the international community must take to address the challenges arising in this area.
Alexander Lukashenko stated that the measures taken by the international community in the fight against climate change are of low effectiveness.
“There has been a lot of talk here about who has done what to improve the climate. But I am comparing the last period after our previous summit. It has only gotten worse. The war in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, the war in southern Yemen. In total, there are more than 50 conflicts in the world that have a severe impact on the climate on our planet. So, has it gotten better? Who has started paying for emissions?” the Head of State outlined the problem.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that those who had previously been concerned about improving the climate were absent from this conference. “Moreover, they are sabotaging it. What will happen after the (past – Ed.) presidential elections in the United States of America. The question arises, so what is the effectiveness of our activities at such summits,” the Belarusian leader noted. “Once, the President of France considered himself almost great for the Paris Agreement. And where is this President today? Is this really not relevant? This is the effectiveness of our work. So there is nothing to report on yet.”
Addressing those who are absent from the summit and think that in terms of the consequences of climate change, it will be a no-brainer, Alexander Lukashenko warned: “It will not be a no-brainer. The storm in the United States of America, recently Valencia (talking about the flood. – Ed.) – people died. This speaks to how we are “improving” our climate.”
“I say this frankly because my country cannot be reproached in this regard. We strictly fulfill all the obligations we have taken upon ourselves,” the Head of State emphasized.
Alexander Lukashenko voiced proposals for global action to combat climate change.
“These and other areas require consolidation of international efforts. Not in words, but in deeds. It is time to move from words to deeds. And those who must pay must pay, and not sit in their offices,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
About the primary task
The President stated that the climate has changed, and this is already a given. “Therefore, the primary task is to reconfigure national economies, primarily agriculture, taking into account the changed conditions, to adapt it to the new conditions,” he said.
Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that Belarus is actively engaged in this topic and is ready to share its experience.
On equal access to green technologies
The head of state called for helping developing countries gain equal access to green technologies without harming their national interests: “Make sure that they do not fall into bondage as a result of this assistance. We need to abolish everything that hinders international trade in technologies, the exchange of innovations and best practices.”
On the impact of innovation on the environment
According to Alexander Lukashenko, the world has already encountered a situation where new products, positioned as a more environmentally friendly alternative, cause no less harm. “Objectively, new approaches are needed to comprehensively assess the potential impact of innovations on the environment throughout the entire life cycle of these products,” he said.
The Belarusian delegation includes the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus Sergei Maslyak, who will hold a number of bilateral meetings on November 13 and take part in events on the sidelines of the World Climate Change Summit.
Information from Website of the President of the Republic of Belarus
