Belarus’ approach to traditional family values within Sustainable Development Goals supported at consultative session hosted by UN headquarters

The consultative meeting was held at the initiative of Belarus, Egypt and Qatar, in their capacity as co-chairs of the ‘Friends of the Family’ group, on issues of family promotion. Targets have been discussed in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a number of US-based international non-governmental organisations taking part, alongside 25 other group member states.

Belarus’ Deputy Foreign Minister, Valentin Rybakov, noted in his speech that the institution of the family should be considered by the international community as the solution to many social challenges, especially in the context of achieving sustainable development goals. He called upon like-minded countries to elaborate an action plan to present to the UN, including events for 2016, to ensure recognition of the role of the family in attaining sustainable development goals.

Representatives of Egypt, Qatar, Iran, Nigeria, Russia, Saudi Arabia and non-governmental organisations supported Belarus’ approaches, and shared their vision on ways to promote traditional family values via the UN.