STATEMENT
by Mr V.V.Yermoshin, the Prime Minister of Republic of Belarus,
at the 24th Special Session of the UN General Assembly
"World Summit for Social Development and Beyond :
Achieving Social Development for All in a Globalizing World"
Geneva, 28 June 2000


Dear Mr Chairman,
 Ladies and Gentlemen,

 Copenhagen Summit gave a start to a new stage of co-operation between the UN member states in the sphere of social development. It promoted the establishment of social peace and stability, thus, proving the commitment of the united nations to the strategy of improving human living conditions.

 The Republic of Belarus actively applies the Declaration and Action Programme of Copenhagen Summit in its economic transformations taking into account positive experience of other countries reforming their economy.

 Each country has its specific features related not only to the sphere of economy but to the social policy as well.

 The transition from a rigidly centralised to a market economy turned to be a hard challenge for us.

 The Chernobyl disaster left us an unhealing wound. As a result of the accident, about 70 percent of the total area contaminated with radiation lies within our country. According to the experts, the damage suffered by the republic is estimated at 32 annual GDPs.

 We appreciate the United Nations Organisation for its implementation of the UNESCO Chernobyl Programme which made it possible to slightly ease the hardships induced by the tragedy. We are still hopeful that this work will be continued.

 On behalf of the Government of Belarus I express our sincere gratitude to charitable organisations from Germany, Italy, Japan, Greece and other countries for their assistance to those suffered from the Chernobyl disaster.

 The costs related to the elimination of conventional weapons in line with international treaties laid a heavy load on the economy of Belarus.
However, despite its current problems, the Belarusian nation strives for the future.

 We define our national model of development as a socially oriented market economy which allows to combine private initiative, competition with an active involvement of the state and economic efficiency with a high level of social protection for the citizens.

 The period between 1996 and 1999 played a decisive role in the socio-economic development of the Republic of Belarus as it was a crucial stage of overcoming the crisis phenomena that were taking place in the country in the previous period.

 During the last 4 years, GDP rose by 27.7 percent, industrial output increased by 51.6 percent, consumer goods production went up by 74.3 percent, retail turnover and paid services expanded by 12.8 and 42.5, respectively.

 Our efforts to ensure economic growth facilitated the improvement of the situation at the labour market.

 The share of the unemployed in the total number of economically active population comprises only 2 percent.

 The indicators of the population's living standard have improved.

 Real wages have increased by 1.5 times for the last 4 years and during 5 months of this year they rose by 16.5 percent as compared to the same period last year.

 For the last 4 years, over 145,000 families have improved their housing conditions.

 The Republic of Belarus ensures a balanced development of social sphere's branches related to all aspects of the society's life and activity.

 The educational system is undergoing further reforms. The Republic has achieved a relatively high level of adults' literacy, amounting to 98,4 percent. As for the number of students per 10.000 residents, the Republic of Belarus, with this number of 262, satisfies average European requirements. Today we are exercising the right to education more actively than ever before.

 The state has managed to preserve the total amount of budgetary funds directed for educational needs at the rate of 6.6 percent of the gross domestic product. Our children are fully provided with kindergartens and nursery schools.

 The task of the republic for the next five years is to catch up with industrially developed countries in consumption of goods and services, ensure rational employment, meet the international standards of social protection.
At the same time, there are a lot of acute problems in the sphere of incomes and remuneration. The share of wages in money incomes and gross domestic product remains low.
Income policy will be aimed at increasing a minimum level of state social and labour guarantees to really match the lowest cost of living. Our task is a time-phased approaching of state standards towards the subsistence level.
In the near future, under the pension reform it is planned to introduce a personified accounting system of social security installments, to streamline the early retirement procedure through the establishment of occupational pension systems for those working under special conditions and selected types of professional activity. We have a number of benefits for veterans and disabled persons.
Family as well as maternity and children protection remains in focus of social policy.
Our republic was among the first in Europe to develop and adopt a state Strategy of Environment-Friendly Sustainable Development. It fulfills its commitments with full responsibility in line with relevant international agreements and conventions.
In recent years, volumes of pollutant emissions and effluents have been reducing. The country's territory is free of both chemical and nuclear weapons. We deliberately waived our nuclear nation status.
Dear Mr. Chairman,
The international community arrived at a conclusion that one of its major tasks is to extend a comprehensive assistance to the countries undergoing market transformation.
We are satisfied to note that the draft Final Document of the General Assembly's Special Session contains provisions which meet the requirements of the countries in transition including Belarus.

 I would also like to stress the significant role played by the Regional Symposium on Social and Economic Policy in the Period of Macroeconomic Stabilisation in Countries in Transition (Ashgabad, 1999). The current situation analysis in these countries and specific recommendations will be taken into account in Belarus' s social and economic policy.

 I am certain that this special session will ensure the activisation of the international cooperation in all its forms in order to implement an effective social policy satisfying national needs and interests of a free individual.

 Thank you.