The objectives set by the regional and city leadership for this year and the five-year period, promising areas of work, and events in 2025 were discussed during the dialogue platform "Our Achievements. A Look into the Future," held at the Vitebsk Region Media Centre.
The Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies, Dmitry Demidov, focused on the commencement of early voting in the Presidential elections of Belarus.
– This campaign is of fateful significance, determining the course of Belarus's development for the next five-year period and ensuring a peaceful future for us and our children, – stated Dmitry Demidov.
The past year was rich in significant events, both in political and public life. One of the key moments was the Unified Voting Day, which was stipulated by the updated Constitution, which we worked on together. This testifies to the political maturity of society and its readiness for new stages of development.
– The Vitebsk region marked numerous significant events, including the 80th anniversary of liberation from the Nazi occupation and the 30th anniversary of the Institute of the Presidency, – continued Dmitry Demidov. – These events were held at a high level, with the active participation of youth movements and public associations. The XI Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia became a platform for experience exchange and facilitated the establishment of new contacts.
Dmitry Demidov also spoke about the socio-economic development of the region, which showed commendable results in 2024.
– Preliminary assessments indicate that we are among the leaders in terms of growth rates, – stated the head of the deputy corps. – This obliges us to continue working with full dedication in 2025. I am confident that the plans for the future will be realised, and we have all the necessary resources for this. The main thing is to maintain the desire and aspiration for fruitful work.
Among those invited to the dialogue platform was the youth of the northern region.
– Meetings with the youth audience are an important and responsible task. Young people expect us to assess the current situation and provide information about the plans we are developing to stabilise the situation. It is important to note that young people possess enormous potential. They take their cue from us and evaluate our work through the prism of their lives and the quality of the environment. This process is mutually beneficial: we draw inspiration from their ideas and needs, and they share their views on the future of our region and country. Our task is to involve young people as much as possible in economic, social, and political processes so that they are aware of their involvement and responsibility for the future of our country. This cooperation is crucial for fostering an active and responsible civic stance in the younger generation.
By the way, young parliamentarians have initiated a project to perpetuate the history of the "Surazh Gate".
The project is currently under discussion and development, with various aspects of its implementation being considered.
The Surazh Gate became a place where the Red Army troops managed to break through the German defence and link up with partisan detachments operating in the Vitebsk, Smolensk, and Pskov regions. This operation had a significant impact on the course of the Great Patriotic War and contributed to the successful implementation of Operation Bagration.
– We see many interesting and heroic moments that can be highlighted within this project. It requires both research and educational work, as well as the organisation of events that will emphasise our unity and the importance of historical memory, – noted Dmitry Demidov. – Young people are always full of ideas and fresh perspectives, and I am confident that the results of our work will be impressive.
The Chairperson of the City Council of Deputies, **Olga Ivanova**, noted that the past year had been an important stage in the development of Vitebsk, with a focus on the opening of a unique children's institution – Primary School No. 48 of Vitebsk – and the achievements of young Vitebsk residents in education.
**Figures.** There is reason to be proud in the field of education. In 2024, young Vitebsk residents won 77 international diplomas and 68 awards at the final stage of the republican olympiads. A quarter of the 11th-grade graduates received certificates of special merit, and 80% continue their studies at higher education institutions.
The deputy also spoke about population growth, improvement of housing conditions, including for large families, the reconstruction of Victory Square in the regional center, as well as the "Basement" program aimed at upgrading utility networks in apartment buildings, which should improve the quality of life for citizens. The speaker is convinced that if the program is successfully implemented, it will be a bold decision that can be adopted by other regional centers of Belarus.
– As a deputy, I strive to be a link between residents and authorities, and I believe that social support, housing construction, and the preservation of historical memory are key aspects that we must develop and pass on to future generations, – the deputy emphasized.
The head of the BISI department for the Vitebsk region, Andrei Mishin, noted that one of Belarus's main achievements has been not only the preservation of independence but also the development of human resources. Small private companies and research centers specializing in modern technologies such as robotics and unmanned technologies are actively operating in the republic. Although they are not always known on the world market, their expertise shapes trends and contributes to technological development.
Andrei Mishin stressed that Belarusians have successfully integrated into the international division of labor over the past 30 years, which was particularly evident under sanctions pressure in 2022 and 2023. Despite the difficulties, the country's economy has remained stable, and many enterprises have found ways to diversify export supplies and components.
– These achievements are the result of the work of our people, their focus on results, and their love for their homeland, – the speaker noted. He added that Belarus is successfully developing in various fields, including the economy, social sphere, education, and medicine, as evidenced by the improvement of its positions in rankings.
In 2024, a significant change occurred in the Vitebsk region in the perception of life by local residents. Sociological research shows that the acuteness of everyday problems has decreased, and life satisfaction has increased. People have begun to return to savings strategies, which indicates stabilization in the consumer market and confidence in the Belarusian ruble.
Andrey Mishin also noted that against the backdrop of global conflicts and tensions in the world, Belarusians have realized the importance of maintaining the country's defense capability. This creates a more favorable social environment and a sense of security from the state.
Speaking about the prospects, he noted that the population looks optimistically at 2025, expecting positive changes in the socio-economic sphere. He emphasized that 2024 has become a turning point in the perception of civil society, which was reflected in the active participation of youth in public life and politics.
– We are not resting on our laurels and continue to move forward. Next year, new economic challenges and opportunities await us, including the development of an updated national sustainable development strategy, – the speaker added.