Vitebsk will host the XI Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia in 2024
In the year of its 1050th anniversary, the city on the Dvina River will host a landmark event for two countries developing the Union State, taking over from Ufa, where the jubilee, tenth forum, concludes on June 28.
The delegation from Vitebsk region, led by the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, took an active part in this crucial integration event. At the plenary session, the head of the region delivered a report on the joint activities of Belarus and Russia in ensuring biological security. Concluding his speech, Alexander Subbotin invited everyone to visit the hospitable city of Vitebsk in northern Belarus in 2024, marking the beginning of the second decade of this large-scale platform designed to strengthen regional cooperation between the two countries.
The agenda of the event in the capital of Bashkortostan was traditionally diverse. Sectional meetings discussed issues of humanitarian cooperation, public diplomacy, implementation of a unified industrial and agrarian policy, development of information technologies, and a number of other areas. As reported by the Committee for Economy of the Regional Executive Committee, the participants of the Vitebsk delegation presented proposals for intensifying contacts and implementing joint projects within the framework of union programs, as well as initiatives for cooperation in tourism and the volunteer movement.
Among the most important events of the forum is the conclusion of interregional cooperation agreements. Along with seeking new partner regions, the Vitebsk region focuses on updating previously signed cooperation documents. Thus, at the venue in Ufa, the heads of the Vitebsk region and Bashkortostan signed a comprehensive plan of measures in the trade, economic, scientific, technical, and humanitarian spheres for 2023-2025, developing a previously concluded cooperation agreement. In addition, during the preparation of the region's delegation visit to Bashkortostan, a review of previously reached interregional agreements and negotiations with new potential partners were conducted. Such work also yields results, including at the level of district and city administrations. For example, a similar plan of cooperation measures for the next three years was signed in April with the Kostroma region. Documents with the Republic of Karelia and the Nizhny Novgorod region are under consideration. In May of this year, at the International Investment Forum in Vitebsk, a cooperation agreement was signed between the regional center and Arkhangelsk.
Business communication is an integral part of the forum's program. At the joint meeting of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Belarus and Russia, opportunities for improving logistics and transport interaction, and developing family entrepreneurship were discussed. At the exhibition of national economic achievements "Made in Belarus," the Vitebsk region was represented by open joint-stock companies "Naftan" and "Polotsk-Steklovolokno," the Orsha Linen Mill, and the "Belwest" footwear holding. Solely within the framework of preparation for the event, about 30 enterprises of the Vitebsk region signed over a hundred contracts totaling about 1.5 billion Russian rubles and almost 90 million US dollars.
The cultural program is an important addition to the forum. For three days, the "Street of Friendship" festival of ethnic cultures was held in Ufa, within which the "Vitebsk Courtyard" was set up. This venue featured works by masters from the Dokshitsy District House of Crafts. Cultural and folklore traditions were presented by one of Belarus's best ensembles – the song, music, and dance ensemble "Talaka" of the Vitebsk Regional Philharmonic Society.
"Vitbichi"
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by