Russia welcomes Barbados’s initiative on host country-led consultations complementing the formal preparatory process for UNCTAD-15. We hope that such informal consultations will help maintain the momentum and raise awareness at the Ambassadorial level. Russia appreciates the efforts of Barbados as a host country and would like to reiterate our support for holding the UNCTAD-15 at a high political level in а face-to-face format. The Russian delegation considers the whole preparatory process as a valuable opportunity to demonstrate solidarity, good will and common desire to make UNCTAD stronger and equip the Organization with powerful tools it needs to respond to the current and emerging challenges.

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, Nowadays transport industries of all countries in the world face an unprecedented challenge – the necessity to meet the needs of the economy and society in transport services, as well as to ensure the safety of passengers and transport workers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Transport must continue to function, because it provides the necessary economic links as well as the need for movement under restrictions. On 29 May the Heads of Governments of the Commonwealth of Independent States adopted a Statement on the spread of a new coronavirus infection. The document outlines the adoption of joint effective measures to eliminate the threat of COVID-19, as well as the exchange of countries’ experience in implementing preventive measures against pandemics.

Honourable Chairman, Excellences, Participants of the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region, In July 2020 Russia is scheduled to present its first Voluntary National Review on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals on the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York. I would like to use this opportunity to share with you today an overview of how the Russian Federation approached its first VNR and some key lessons learnt.

Indicative calendar of UNITED NATIONTS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT  (UNCTAD) meetings for 2020                This calendar is...