A middle-income country, Belarus believes that the UN development agenda should take proper consideration of the common interests of the MICs. Belarus consistently raises this issue in the work of the UN programmes and funds, as well as in the General Assembly.

In August 2008, Belarus took part in the Ministerial Conference of the Middle Income Countries in Namibia. The Vice-Chairman of the Conference, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Viktar Gaisenak made a key presentation at the round table on energy for sustainable development.

The Conference outcome document, Ministerial Declaration, sets out priority measures for the development cooperation with middle-income countries. The Declaration encourages the adoption of a GA resolution which will provide mandate to the UN system on supporting development efforts of the MICs. Drafted jointly by the MICs, the resolution is to be considered by the Second Committee at the 63rd session of the General Assembly.