The major goal of the seminar was to work out in close cooperation with Belarusian and international experts further strategies and define certain steps to ensure sustainable rehabilitation and development of Chornobyl affected territories and communities. The event provided participants with a unique opportunity to exchange their experience and determine approaches for long-term rehabilitation of Chornobyl affected areas not only in Belarus but also in other countries.  

During the two-day seminar the participants discussed a number of topics such as health care, the ways of providing youth and children with the information on the mitigation of Chornobyl catastrophe consequences, socio-economic recovery of Chornobyl affected rural areas, future strategies of CORE Programme, as well as partnership between affected regions and international community.

Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Pavlo Zamostyan, UNDP/CRDP’s Coordinator, described the programme’s strategies and achievements in Ukraine. He specifically praised successful experience gained within the activities performed at Chornobyl Economic Development Forum and by the Regional agencies for local economic development. These institutions have been established with the support of UNDP/CRDP. “Current success reiterates the fact that the united efforts by international organizations, Ukrainian authorities at all levels, private sector and local communities could provide local rural communities with concrete technical assistance and know-how, bringing positive socio-economic development results to affected areas,” he said.

In addition, the youth-targeted activities, which are being implemented in cooperation with another UNDP-led Project “Human Security for Ukrainian Youth”, were also presented at the seminar and found a great interest among the seminar participants. Specifically these included: representatives from communities, international organizations, Belarusian authorities, national and international NGOs, scientists and journalists, foreign diplomats serving in the Republic of Belarus, officials from Belarusian Ministry of Emergencies, as well as officials from the governments of France and Norway.