Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus M.Ryzhenkov takes part in the high-level week of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (third day)

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Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus M.Ryzhenkov takes part in the high-level week of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (third day)

On September 25, 2025 the Minister of Foreifn Affairs of Belarus, Maxim Ryzhenkov, took part in the UN Security Council Open Debate on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on international peace and security.

In his speech, the head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry noted that progress in the field of AI opens up enormous opportunities to combat global challenges, including climate change, hunger, and incurable diseases, but at the same time poses serious risks if this technology gets out of human control.

Maxim Ryzhenkov emphasized the inadmissibility of technological division of the world and exclusion of individual countries from AI development processes, pointing to the danger of a new "silicon curtain" emerging. As the Belarusian Foreign Minister noted, only with equal access to advanced technologies can artificial intelligence serve the goals of peace and sustainable development. The Minister paid particular attention to the threats of AI militarization, noting the need to prevent scenarios in which autonomous weapon systems are able to make decisions independently.

The speech placed particular emphasis on issues of ethics and responsibility. The Minister stressed that artificial intelligence should contribute to improving people's quality of life, preserving their dignity, and preventing discrimination. "With its ability to learn on its own, this tool (AI) could destroy humanity if it gets out of control," the Minister said, quoting Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, and argued for the need to figure out how to hold AI accountable for the decisions it makes. In this context, the Belarusian side expressed support for China's initiative to create a World Organization for Cooperation in the Field of Artificial Intelligence, which could become a universal platform for agreeing on rules and developing mechanisms for international control over the use of AI.

Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov also spoke at the Ministerial Meeting of the Like-Minded Group for Middle-Income Countries, dedicated to the topic "Catalyzing Development Cooperation for Middle-Income Countries".

The Like-Minded Group for Middle-Income Countries was established in 2016 on the initiative of Belarus and Costa Rica. Over the past year, its work has been led by the Philippines.

The Minister noted that middle-income countries face a "middle-income trap" and need new sources of economic growth and innovative development. "If we can take advantage of these opportunities, middle-income countries will be able to reach a new level of development and even become donors in the UN system, providing support to the least developed countries."

Maxim Ryzhenkov emphasized that issues related to the successful development of the countries in the group are important for the entire international community. In this context, the Foreign Minister highlighted two documents for middle-income countries: the Strategic Plan of Action and the Inter-Agency System-Wide Response Plan. Belarus confirmed its readiness to actively participate in the preparation of relevant UN decisions and the development of international cooperation.

On the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, a meeting of Foreign Ministers of the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) took place. During the talks, they discussed ways to strengthen the organization's role and visibility in the international security system, as well as prospects for promoting the collective initiatives of member countries on the global stage.

Maxim Ryzhenkov informed his colleagues about preparations for the III Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, which will be held on October 28-29, 2025, in Minsk. The Minister emphasized the importance of the participation of CSTO member states, noting that this would be a significant contribution to the formation of the security architecture in Eurasia.

On the sidelines of the conference, thematic events are planned, including a panel on the prospects for collective security in Eurasia and a session on "Migration in modern international relations: towards more orderly and secure movement of people."

Maxim Ryzhenkov paid particular attention to the initiative of Belarus and Russia to prepare the Eurasian Charter on Diversity and Multipolarity in the 21st Century, which is designed to strengthen the principles of equality, indivisibility of security, and respect for different paths of development. The Minister invited CSTO member states to actively participate in the discussion of the Charter at the conference and stressed that joint work on the document would contribute to enhancing the role and visibility of the CSTO in the international security system.

At a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Vijitha Herath, the parties noted the steady development of bilateral cooperation and highlighted the upcoming anniversary in November - the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

During the talks, the parties confirmed their readiness to hold the fourth round of political consultations at the deputy ministerial level and the third meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

The parties expressed satisfaction with the dynamics of cooperation in the field of education, inter-university interaction, and the growth in the number of Sri Lankan students studying in Belarus.

The development of tourism was also in the focus of the ministers' meeting. The signing in the near future of, among other bilateral documents, an intergovernmental Agreement on air transport will contribute to more effective work between the countries in the field of tourism and to growth in passenger and cargo traffic between the two states.

Special attention was also paid to cooperation within international organizations. The Belarusian side expressed gratitude for Sri Lanka's support and confirmed its interest in further strengthening the partnership in the interests of building a just multipolar world.

The Ministers discussed the schedule of bilateral meetings for the coming year, including exchanging invitations for mutual visits.

With the Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and International Cooperation of the Dominican Republic, Hugo Rivera Fernandez, they discussed the prospects for the development of bilateral relations, food security issues, cooperation in the field of tourism, in particular, the organization of recreation for Belarusian citizens in the Dominican Republic.

During talks with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohiuddin Salem, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov congratulated his counterpart on his appointment to this important government post. The interlocutors expressed their readiness to intensify bilateral dialogue at all levels, including cooperation between relevant ministries. Belarus confirmed its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan.

The prospects for restoring comprehensive cooperation in key areas were discussed: food security, industry, energy, education, and healthcare. Belarus' readiness to assist in the post-conflict reconstruction of the country was noted, including the supply of industrial and agricultural products, the use of Belarusian technological potential, and the strengthening of cooperative ties.

During the conversation between Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov, the entire range of relations between the countries was discussed, including cooperation within international organizations.

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