The 6th Belarusian People's Congress started at the Palace of the Republic in Minsk on 11 February, BelTA has learned.
The delegates will take stock of the progress in the implementation of Belarus' social and economic development program for 2016-2020 and discuss the main provisions of the country's draft social and economic development program for 2021-2025. The main goal for the five-year period is to ensure social stability in society and increase the welfare of citizens through the qualitative growth of the economy, social capital, comfortable conditions for life, work and self-fulfillment. The key tasks are to reduce the dependence of economic growth on hydrocarbon raw materials, to increase export potential through high-tech goods, and to launch a new investment cycle.
Attending the the event will be 2,700 people, including 2,400 delegates. The forum has brought together representatives of all segments of society: workers, rural workers, social and cultural workers and the media, military personnel, entrepreneurs, students, and pensioners. Among the delegates are also heads of government bodies, enterprises and organizations, MPs, deputies of local councils, representatives of political parties and public associations.
The working bodies of the 6th Belarusian People's Congress have been elected, including the presidium, secretariat, editorial and counting commissions. Speaker of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova has been appointed chairperson of the first day of the forum and Chairperson of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko has been appointed chairperson of the second day.
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko is expected to deliver a report during the Belarusian People's Congress. The Belarusian leader will traditionally speak on the first day of the forum. The opening of the congress, the president's speech and speeches of the delegates will be broadcast live on Belarusian TV channels and the First National Channel of Belarusian Radio. The broadcast will also be available on the website of the sixth Belarusian People's Assembly and internet platforms of the major state media outlets.
Aleksandr Lukashenko is expected to take part in the work of the Belarusian People's Congress on 12 February.
The TV version of the Belarusian People's Congress will be aired in the evening broadcasts of the Belarusian TV channels on 14 February.
