February 2006 -26 April 2006 marks the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl Disaster. Over the past few years, the three most affected countries – Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, as well as UN agencies, European Union, governments, scientific organizations and NGOs of a number of countries have done a lot to minimize the consequences of the disaster and to study its effects on public health and the environment. The results of the implemented activities were discussed at some major international forums dedicated to the 10th anniversary (Geneva 1995; Minsk 1996; Vienna 1996) and the 15th anniversary (Kiev 2001) of the disaster.

The materials of those conferences clearly demonstrate that radiation catastrophes, unlike other disasters, turn affected territories into crisis zones which take many decades to be recovered. According to Jan Egeland, UN Under-Secretary-General, Humanitarian Relief Coordinator, “we must remind everyone that the Chernobyl consequences will still be relevant for many generations to come.”

The most challenging problem of the post-Chernobyl recovery at this stage is the integrated radiological and socioeconomic rehabilitation of the contaminated areas. The main goal of the rehabilitation – real economic recovery and sustainable development of the affected areas – requires new approaches, scientifically justified decisions, considerable financial input, and, consequently, full financial and technical engagement of all the parties concerned.

The 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster can potentially focus the attention of the international community on the problems of recovery and the needs of the affected areas, and mobilize the international assistance to complement the national mitigation efforts.

In this regard, within the framework of the 58th Session of the UN General Assembly, the Republic of Belarus suggested that the International Conference on the Occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Chernobyl Disaster be held in Minsk from 19 through 21 April 2006.

The main objective of the Conference is the analysis of the previous mitigation experiences and the development of policy recommendations for the next decade.

The governments and scientific institutions of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, international organisations, as well as government and non-government organisations of donor countries will take part in the Conference

With the purpose of preparing the Conference the National Organizing Committee was set up in Belarus, which is chaired by Vice-Premier Vladimir Drazhin. In support of this Committee and with the purpose of attracting more international attention to the problems of Chernobyl the International Organising Committee with the Co-Chairs Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative, and Mr. Vladimir.G.Tsalko, Chairman of Chernobyl Committee, was created.

Information on the progress of preparation of the Conference will be placed and regularly updated at the special web sites www.chernobyl.info and www.chernobyl.by.

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