Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia kicks off in Belarus

The forum is themed around the topic “The role of interregional cooperation in building an innovative economy of the Union State”. A number of exhibitions will open in Vitebsk on the first day of the forum. They will include an exhibition of economic achievements of the regions of Belarus and Russia, an exhibition-fair of centers of crafts, a technology exhibition, Intellectual Belarus, Historical Vitebsk exhibitions, an exhibition-fair of artists and artisans, a presentation of regions of Belarus and Russia, a showcase of traditional cuisines, and master classes.

In addition to that, the program of the forum includes a joint meeting of the governing bodies of the Youth Council (Parliament) under the National Assembly of Belarus and the Chamber of Young Legislators under the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia and a special panel session of financial watchdogs of Belarus and Russia themed as “Innovation as a key factor in economic security of the Union State: general goals and priorities of financial control (audit)”. Cooperation between the control agencies of Belarus and Russia will be discussed and cooperation agreements will be signed between the state control committees of the regions of Belarus and the control and accounting bodies of the regions of Russia (the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Komi Republic, Bryansk Oblast, Moscow Oblast, Tver Oblast and the city of Moscow). The chambers of commerce and industry of Belarus and Russia will meet to chart out ways to unlock the potential of innovative cooperation between Russia and Belarus.

The forum will run nine sections: "Effective enforcement of legislation as the most important factor of Union State integration", "Interregional cooperation as the driver of progressive development of the Union State of Belarus and Russia", "Innovative medicine and pharmacy in the Union State: priority areas and development prospects","Innovations in higher education and science: experience and prospects of cooperation of the Union State", "Cooperation between Belarus and Russia in innovations in the international context", "Ensuring technological independence of Belarus and Russia on the basis of innovations in the manufacturing sector", "Latest technologies in the agricultural industry of Belarus and Russia, scientific and personnel support", "Cooperation between Belarus and Russia in the light industry: from ideas to innovations", "Cultural and humanitarian cooperation and tourism as the factors in strengthening the interaction between the regions of Belarus and Russia".

On 28 June Chair of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova and Chair of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko will meet with heads of regional administrations of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation. A plenary session of the 11th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia will take place on this day.

Cooperation agreements, commercial contracts and other documents are to be signed at all sites of the forum.

The forum is organized by the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.