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Belarusian envoy urges UNICEF leadership to contribute to effort against human trafficking

Andrey Dapkyunas, Belarus' permanent representative to the United Nations, called on the leadership of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) to contribute to international efforts against human trafficking.

While speaking at an annual session of the UNICEF Executive Board in New York on June 4, Mr. Dapkyunas stressed that UNICEF projects had been proving more effective recently, in particular in the least developed countries, the Belarusian foreign ministry's press office said.

The Belarusian envoy reportedly welcomed the organization's efforts to expand programs aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles among children, curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS and combating gender discrimination at schools and elsewhere.

Mr. Dapkyunas reiterated the Belarusian government's call for opening a UNICEF office in the country, which would help more efficiently attract aid from donors and implement projects provided for by the organization's 2006-2010 program for Belarus, according to the press office.

During the four-day meeting, board members are expected to review the organization's 2006 Annual Report, discuss country programs and look back at the results achieved in education, gender equality, child nutrition and other areas.