Dear Colleagues,

I would like to thank the distinguished representatives of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) for convening this important event on the margins of the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development.

We welcome active and constructive engagement of the EEC in the work of the United Nations in support of Agenda-2030, including in the framework of the High-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF) under the auspices of ECOSOC. Last year a comprehensive report on the achievement of the SDGs in the EAEU region, prepared by the Eurasian Economic Commission, was presented at the HLPF in New York. The Eurasian Economic Union thus became the first regional integration association to participate in the voluntary reviews on the follow-up and implementation of sustainable development commitments and objectives. The key message of the report is quite clear - the EAEU indeed provides a solid framework for achieving the SDGs both at national and regional levels.

As you are well aware, on the 1^st of January 2018 the Russian Federation assumed the chairmanship of the EAEU bodies – the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council and the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission. The Russian presidency is resolved to further promote mutually beneficial relations between the EAEU and the United Nations, including its specialized agencies, in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

We regard the EAEU as a major regional integration organization that is promoting the harmonization of economic regulation of the five member economies and thus contributes to their sustainable development. Over the three years since its establishment, the EAEU has proved its value and effectiveness. The five countries have good opportunities for expanding mutual ties in renewable energy, environmental protection, and healthcare.

The Russian presidency in the EAEU governing bodies intends to maintain close and mutually beneficial cooperation with other states and integration associations. A free trade zone with Vietnam has been functioning successfully since 2016. We expect positive results from the ongoing negotiations on the establishment of free trade zones with Egypt, Israel, India, Iran, Serbia and Singapore. We attach particular importance to signing a trade and economic cooperation agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and the People’s Republic of China. In our view, the EAEU and China’s “Belt and Road” initiative can effectively supplement each other.

Dear Colleagues,

Each Member State of the EAEU undertakes specific steps to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals according to the national policies, development strategies and concepts. The economic integration within the Union is an important but only an additional factor contributing to achieving the SDGs by the Member States. We are convinced, however, that the Eurasian integration will help us enhance the wellbeing of our people and strengthen the cultural, historical and social unity of the EAEU nations, leaving no one behind which is an overarching principle of Agenda-2030.

Let me once again thank the Eurasian Economic Commission for their timely initiative and wish us a fruitful discussion.

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