Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus M.Ryzhenkov at the Climate Summit 2025 (24 September 2025, New York)

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Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus M.Ryzhenkov at the Climate Summit 2025 (24 September 2025, New York)

Mr. Chairman,

Today the consequences of climate change are not so critical for Belarus as for many other countries. However, we share a common concern about this phenomenon. We fully implement our commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris Agreement. We have already reduced emissions by more than 40 percent compared to 1990 level, and we plan to do even more!

We take a strategic approach to address climate change ae well as effectively develop green and nuclear energy. By the way, I would like to remind you what kind of political noise we had over Belarus when we had been building our Nuclear Power Plant.

Now it is clear that this was driven under the protectionism of international corporations and in accordance with the interests of some EU countries.

At the same time, Belarus, like many other countries, faces hindered access to technology due to the Western economic restrictions and international trade barriers. If not for this, our contribution to the green agenda would have been even greater!

A few thoughts on the topic. It is the Western countries that bear historical responsibility for the phenomenon of climate change because of their policy of plundering natural resources and extensive industrial development during the centuries.

Today, they are the ones who hypocritically manipulate the "green" agenda to suit their own interests, forcing everyone to adapt to their own rules.

The world lags behind in this extremely costly "green" race, which for many developing countries could become nothing short of economic bondage, holding back their economic development. Yet, they are the ones that suffer the most from climate change.

There are some other alarming trends.

Today, at the opening of the session, the professors laid it all out correctly. We must fight for the future of the planet. But how if the arms production in NATO countries grows and their military emissions increase to a 15 percent.

The boycott by the Western countries the airspace of a number of States is another so-called "contribution" to the negative processes of climate change. For example, the increase of the duration of flights over the comparatively small country of Belarus costs an additional 250 tons of carbon dioxide emissions daily into the EU airspace. What if we calculate this figure based on bans to Russia and other countries?

All the solutions to mitigating climate change are right there. It's simple as that!

We must stop hypocrisy and politicizing the issue of climate change by curbing unilateral coercive measures and ensuring technology transfer to countries in need.

Fairness and equality, as Chinese President Xi Jinping rightly noted. And only concerted efforts - through national action and international cooperation.

Thank you for your attention.

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