Miory Regional Executive Committee
The tasks set by the regional and city leadership for this year and the five-year period, prospective areas of work, and events in 2025 were discussed during the dialogue platform "Our Achievements. Looking into the Future," which took place at the Vitebsk Region Media Center.
The Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies Dmitry Demidov drew attention to the start of early voting in the Presidential elections of Belarus.
– This campaign is of decisive importance, determining the development course of Belarus for the coming five years and ensuring a peaceful future for us and our children, – Dmitry Demidov stated.
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 provided for in the updated Constitution that 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 German-Fascist occupation and the 30th anniversary of the Institute of the Presidency, – Dmitry Demidov continued. – These events were held at a high level, with active participation from youth movements and public associations. The XI Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia became a platform for exchanging experience and contributed to establishing new contacts.
Dmitry Demidov also spoke about the socio-economic development of the region, which demonstrated worthy results in 2024.
– Preliminary assessments indicate that we are among the leaders in growth rates, – stated the head of the deputies' chamber. – This obliges us to continue working with full dedication in 2025. I am confident that future plans will be implemented, and we have all the necessary resources for this. The main thing is to maintain the desire and drive for productive work.
Among those invited to the dialogue platform were the youth of the northern region.
– Meetings with a youth audience are an important and responsible task. The youth expect from us an assessment of the current situation and information on the plans we are developing to stabilize the situation. It is important to note that the youth possess enormous potential. They take example from us and evaluate our work through the prism of their own lives and the quality of the environment. This process is mutually beneficial: we draw inspiration from their ideas and needs, while they share their views on the future of our region and country. Our task is to involve the youth as fully as possible in economic, social, and political processes so that they realize their involvement and responsibility for the future of our country. This cooperation is extremely important for fostering an active and responsible civic stance among the younger generation.
It is worth noting that young parliamentarians have initiated a project to preserve the history of the "Surazh Gates".
The project is currently at the discussion and development stage, with various aspects of its implementation being considered.
The Surazh Gates became the site where troops of the Red Army managed to break through German defensive lines and link up with partisan units 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 execution of Operation Bagration.
– We see many interesting and heroic moments that can be highlighted within the framework of this project. It requires both research and educational work, as well as the organization of events that will underscore our unity and the importance of historical memory, – noted Dmitry Demidov. – Young people are always full of ideas and fresh perspectives; 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 marked an important stage in the development of Vitebsk, with an emphasis on the opening of a unique children's institution – Primary School No. 48 in Vitebsk, and on the educational achievements of the city's youth.
Key Figures. The education sector has much to be proud of. In 2024, young students from Vitebsk secured 77 international diplomas and 68 awards at the final stage of republican-level olympiads. One quarter of 11th-grade graduates were awarded special certificates, while 80% proceeded to higher education institutions.
The deputy also addressed population growth, improvements in housing conditions—including for large families—the reconstruction of Victory Square in the regional center, and the "Podval" program aimed at modernizing utility networks in multi-apartment buildings, which is expected to enhance residents' quality of life. The speaker emphasized that successful implementation of this initiative would constitute a bold step worthy of adoption by other regional centers across Belarus.
“As a deputy, I aim to serve as a bridge between residents and state authorities, and I believe that social support, housing development, and the preservation of historical memory are fundamental areas that we must advance and pass on to future generations,” the deputy emphasized.
The head of the BIS branch for the Vitebsk Region, Andrey Mishin, noted that among Belarus’s key achievements have been not only the preservation of sovereignty but also the development of its human capital. Numerous small private enterprises and research centers operate actively across the country, specializing in advanced technologies such as robotics and unmanned systems. While these entities may not always be widely recognized on the global market, their expertise drives industry trends and fosters technological advancement.
Andrey Mishin underscored that over the past three decades, Belarus has successfully integrated into the international division of labor, a process particularly evident amid the sanction pressures of 2022 and 2023. Despite considerable challenges, the national economy has remained stable, with numerous enterprises successfully diversifying their export channels and supply chains for components.
– These achievements are the result of our people's labor, their focus on results, and love for the motherland, – noted the speaker. He added that Belarus is successfully developing in various sectors, including the economy, social sphere, education, and healthcare, as evidenced by improved positions in rankings.
In 2024, a significant shift took place in the way local residents perceive their lives in the Vitebsk Region. Sociological studies indicate a decrease in the urgency of everyday issues and an increase in life satisfaction. Residents have begun returning to a savings strategy, which signals stabilization in the consumer market and growing confidence in the Belarusian ruble.
Andrey Mishin also noted that against the backdrop of global conflicts and worldwide tensions, Belarusians have recognized the importance of maintaining the country's defense capacity. This fosters a more favorable social climate and a sense of security provided by the state.
Discussing future prospects, he noted that the population views 2025 optimistically, anticipating positive developments in the socio-economic sphere. He emphasized that 2024 marked a turning point in the perception of civil society, as demonstrated by the active involvement of young people in public life and politics.
– We are not resting on our laurels and continue to move forward. Next year brings new economic challenges and opportunities, including the development of an updated national sustainable development strategy, – added the speaker.