«We welcome UNCTAD’s new 2025 Trade and Development Report, which captures important global trends and prompts reflection on urgent measures for an adequate response to the challenges and problems faced by nations, primarily developing economies,» the Belarusian diplomat emphasized. «We share the report’s conclusion that diversifying export markets through deepening regional integration is a key factor in reducing nations’ vulnerability to changes in global trade.»
Larisa Belskaya noted that this conclusion is supported by the experience of economic integration among the five member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), where Belarus held the chairmanship in 2025. «Our chairmanship focused on eliminating barriers, reducing exemptions and restrictions in mutual trade, e-commerce, joint projects in agriculture, innovations in agricultural technology, and import substitution. At Belarus’ initiative regarding a joint import substitution program, the Eurasian Economic Commission prepared a series of reviews on promising areas for industrial cooperation. Practical results have been achieved in the field of customs administration, contributing to the minimization of fiscal risks and losses for the budgets of the EAEU member states. Significant agreements have also been reached on harmonization in the financial sector, strengthening trade and investment cooperation, protecting consumer rights and lawful interests, and stimulating tourism development within the EAEU,» the Belarusian diplomat stated.
Larisa Belskaya noted that all this contributes to forming resilient supply chains within the union and favors the transformation of the EAEU into a self-sufficient, harmoniously developed, and globally attractive macro-region. This region possesses economic, technological, and intellectual potential and supports a high standard of living for the populations of its member states.
She expressed gratitude to UNCTAD for participating in the EAEU Days last October and for the report dedicated to investments in the region. «We expect that the practice of thematic reports will be continued in other areas as well,» she added.
«We expect concrete practical work from UNCTAD in facilitating dialogue among economic integration associations to expand mutual trade and exchange best practices and experiences for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Belarus will support UNCTAD’s and the Secretariat’s efforts to strengthen interregional integration and genuine multilateralism in international economic relations,» the Belarusian diplomat stated.
«The UNCTAD report pays significant attention to the interdependence between trade and finance, while also noting the rise in trade barriers and geopolitical tensions, which distort multilateral norms and worsen global economic prospects. The growing fragmentation of the global economy is a natural consequence of the reckless sanction policies of a number of Western countries,» she remarked. «Illegal unilateral restrictive measures, restrictions on access to innovations and investments, reduce the opportunities for developing the potential of nations, especially developing ones. The side effects of economic, financial, and trade sanctions lead to disruptions in regional and global supply chains, including energy, agricultural products and food, and medical supplies, thereby extending beyond the states they are targeted against.»
«We believe that the issue of unilateral economic, financial, and trade measures and their impact on international trade and development should be a focus of UNCTAD’s attention. Unilateral restrictive measures violate the principle of fairness, which should be at the heart of transformation of global trade and the economy, fostering progress and sustainable development for all member states without exception,» Larisa Belskaya added.
