Joint efforts — through national action and international co-operation

Belarusian delegation, headed by Belarus’ Foreign Affairs Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, participated in the high-level week of UNGA 80th session 

The general political debate (high-level week) of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) took place in New York with the participation of approximately 150 heads of state and government, as well as ministers of foreign affairs. Throughout the week, leaders discussed key global challenges: strengthening peace, sustainable development, protecting human rights, gender equality, governing artificial intelligence, combating non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders, as well as the consequences of climate change. The event was timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the UN, its central theme being ‘Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights’.

During the visit, the head of the Foreign Affairs Ministry addressed the general debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly and participated in a number of thematic events dedicated to issues of international and regional security, sustainable development and human rights. Negotiations were held with counterparts from Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, as well as representatives of key international organisations. The focus was on topical issues of the international agenda, strengthening co-operation in bilateral and multilateral formats, and promoting the national interests of Belarus.


Addressing the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Belarusian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov provided a comprehensive assessment of the current international situation, highlighting the main trends shaping the world order, as well as the challenges and threats humanity faces on the path ahead.
The minister stressed the essential role of unity and joint efforts in maintaining peace, protecting human rights and preserving historical memory. It was noted that the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Second World War serves as a reminder of the peoples’ heroism and the dangers of historical falsification, textbook rewriting and the destruction of monuments, which threaten a repetition of past tragedies. The historical overview emphasised the decisive role of the Soviet people in liberating Europe, as well as the importance of memory for educating new generations.
The minister recalled the prophetic words of the President of Belarus that, for long centuries, the fate of world order has rested in the hands of only a few states, while other peoples have been treated as a powerless mass. Belarus stressed the need to reform the UN, including expanding the Security Council and strengthening the organisation’s role as a fair forum for addressing global problems.

Belarus' Foreign Affairs Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov delivering a speech at UNGA
80th session

Particular attention was given to the principle of indivisible security and the consequences of its violation, including Europe’s militarisation and rising tensions on the eastern borders. The minister highlighted the active development of regional co-operation and a multipolar architecture through BRICS, the SCO, the EAEU, the African Union, and the Arab League. Special mention was made of Belarus’ initiative, together with Russia, to create the Eurasian Charter of Multipolarity and Diversity, aimed at strengthening equal and indivisible security, dialogue and mutual respect among states. Belarus again called on the international community to join efforts to prevent conflicts and to build a just and sustainable world order.
Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov spoke at a high-level event organised by the Chinese delegation on the Global Development Initiative (GDI), under the theme ‘Recommit to our original aspirations, unite to build a brighter future of global development’. He emphasised that the GDI is an excellent example of China’s responsible leadership, aimed at uniting efforts of countries to address common global problems and to strengthen a just, multipolar world order. Belarus has been actively involved from the early stages in implementing the initiative, taking part in the Group of Friends and the Global Development Network. Ryzhenkov emphasised Belarus’ and China’s similar approaches to tackling all key issues of present-day geopolitics and global strategy. “Our countries are acting together in support of peace, development and multilateral co-operation,” the minister pointed out.
In his speech at the special high-level event on climate action under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and the President of Brazil, Maxim Ryzhenkov noted that Belarus, despite relatively low vulnerability to climate change, consistently fulfils its international obligations. The country is developing both ‘green’ and nuclear energy but faces barriers to access to modern technologies due to sanctions pressure. The minister stressed that climate action should not be used as a tool of political manipulation or economic coercion. He also underscored that the growth of arms production in NATO countries negatively affects climate change and has already contributed to higher military emissions in the atmosphere.
The minister held a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. They discussed strengthening the central role of the UN in ensuring international security and sustainable development, and the need to devise collective solutions to contemporary challenges. Belarus reaffirmed its readiness to contribute to consolidating efforts of states within genuine multilateral interaction. The minister expressed gratitude to the Secretary-General for support of Belarusian initiatives in the UN on the Chernobyl issue, combatting human trafficking and realising the Sustainable Development Goals.
Belarus’ Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov attended a high-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The minister remarked that the world is again faced with a growing nuclear threat, stressing that — due to increased militarisation and the current arms race — the only guarantee for sovereign states is the possession of nuclear weapons. At the same time, Belarus advocates purposeful work to develop reliable security guarantees for all countries. The Foreign Minister emphasised that Belarus’ actions, including the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons and the Oreshnik ballistic missiles, are defensive and aimed solely at protecting its sovereignty. This is carried out in strict accordance with international law and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The minister called for strengthening trust between states and the creation of an effective system of collective security. “If there are security guarantees, there will be no need for nuclear weapons,” said Ryzhenkov, confirming Belarus’ willingness to engage in dialogue and international co-operation in the field of nuclear security.
The head of Belarus’ foreign ministry participated in the First Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy, chaired by the UN Secretary-General. The minister presented Belarus’ vision for addressing sustainable development challenges. In this context, he urged the removal of unilateral coercive measures (UCMs) that hinder the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and called for non-political, humanitarian aid in this area. Ryzhenkov stressed that current challenges are largely linked to Western policies aimed at preserving its hegemonic position to the detriment of the Global Majority. “There can be no sustainable development without peace,” the minister reminded everyone the words of Belarus’ President delivered at the 2015 UN Summit.   
Belarus’ Foreign Minister addressed the 7th ministerial meeting of the Group of Friends in defence of the UN Charter, with a focus on the issue of UCMs. At a meeting with the President of the 80th UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, they discussed the agenda for the UNGA 80th session and questions concerning the reform of the organisation.
Additionally, during the UNGA 80th session, the Belarusian Foreign Minister held bilateral meetings with ministers of foreign affairs from the Republic of Mozambique, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Angola, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Zimbabwe, the Sultanate of Oman, the Republic of Ghana, the Republic of Uganda, Georgia, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Republic of Singapore, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Botswana, the Republic of Nicaragua, and Togo. The meetings focused on current international issues on the agenda, strengthening bilateral and multilateral co-operation, and promoting Belarus’ national interests.

Based on materials of mfa.gov.by