Belarus’ statement in UN: Reckless policies of restrictions and discrimination nullifies efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals

27 апреля 2022

The world is facing the challenge not only to restore the pace of economic development before the pandemic, but also to overcome new geopolitical challenges and ensure sustainability and subsequent economic growth. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Yuri Ambrazevich spoke by video link at the Forum of the UN Economic and Social Council on Financing for Development. The diplomat noted that the use of political pretexts to curtail projects by the World Bank and other international financial institutions is a direct violation of international obligations by donor countries. 

The scale of economic sanctions, imposed by some states, is unprecedented. 


Yuri Ambrazevich, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus:


The sanctions imposed by the EU and the U.S. against the export of Belarusian potash fertilizers and the illegal ban on their transit through Lithuania are having an extremely negative impact on global food security. These decisions of the USA, the EU and Lithuania in particular, taking into account Belarus' 20% share in the global market of potash fertilizers, are the main reason for a record rise in prices for fertilizers and related foodstuffs and will cause projected starvation in the least developed countries. 


Ambrazevich said that the continuation of a reckless policy of restrictions, exemptions, discrimination against states in their rights, and sanctions against politically undesirable governments are a setback to the international community's efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The representative of Belarus urged the UN not to allow donor countries to usurp the right of other states to determine their own path to sustainable development under the threat of funding cuts.