The VIII All-Russian Joint Meteorological and Hydrological Congress is taking place in St.Petersburg, Russian Federation, from October 28 to October 31, 2024. The main purpose of the congress is to discuss the most pressing problems of meteorological and hydrological science and practice in the context of climate change, to develop recommendations for consolidating existing scientific, technical and industrial potential to solve priority tasks in the field of meteorology and climate, hydrology and water resources, as well as the development of interaction between scientific communities at the national and international levels. The frequency of convening such congresses is not regulated. Congresses are organized as needed. The previous congress was held in 2013. The current congress has the eighth serial number and is dedicated to the 190th anniversary of the formation of the Meteorological Service of Russia. The Congress is organized through thematic breakout sessions and round tables. In addition, an exhibition of achievements in the field of hydrometeorology and related fields "Weather. Climate. Water / Remote sensing / Green Economy" 2024" is taking place.  The delegation of the Republic of Belarus headed by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus Ivan Prikhodko is also participating in the congress. Speaking at the opening of the event, Ivan Prikhodko congratulated his Russian colleagues on the significant date and noted that the Ministry of Natural Resources of Belarus highly appreciates the bilateral cooperation between the state hydrometeorological services of Belarus and Russia, and joint activities within the framework of the Union State Committee on Hydrometeorology and Environmental Pollution Monitoring are a successful example of practical interaction. At the end of his welcoming speech, the Deputy Minister expressed confidence that the close partnership between Belhydromet and Roshydromet will continue to be successfully strengthened and contribute to improving the level of hydrometeorological safety as a component of the national security of our countries. On the sidelines of the All-Russian Meteorological Congress, Ivan Prikhodko held a number of bilateral meetings with foreign partners.  A meeting was held with the President of the World Meteorological Organization, Al Mandus Abdullah Ahmed, during which the possibility of minimizing the consequences of sanctions imposed by unfriendly states on the performance of Belhydromet's functions, resuming the provision of hydrometeorological information by hydrometeorological services of relevant foreign states, increasing the level of interaction between WMO and Belhydromet was discussed.  Ivan Prikhodko invited the President of WMO to consider the possibility of implementing projects with Belhydromet aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change and improving the quality of weather forecasts, including dangerous phenomena, as well as the development of early warning systems for dangerous phenomena in Belarus. The President of the WMO expressed readiness to assist in resolving the identified problems and develop cooperation with the Belarusian side.  An agreement was reached with the Deputy head of the Meteorological Department of the People's Republic of China, Song Shanyun, to establish institutional cooperation between the national hydrometeorological services and sign a corresponding memorandum. On behalf of the Belarusian side, Ivan Prikhodko expressed readiness to send a draft document to his Chinese colleagues in the near future. Belhydromet is represented at the congress by the head Vladimir Babok, the head of the meteorological forecasting service Tatyana Chetyrko, the weather forecaster of the long-term forecasts department Natalia Gritsuk and the electronics engineer of the 1st category of the technical equipment maintenance department Nikolay Valkov.   The delegation of the Republic of Belarus participates in the events of the congress, as well as in a number of bilateral meetings. The head of the Belhydromet, Vladimir Babok, speaking with a welcoming speech to the participants of the congress, noted: "The tradition of convening congresses has been going on for more than a hundred years, now, as then, the congress is a unique platform for discussing the most pressing problems of the meteorological and hydrological industries in the context of climate change. 190 years is not only a reason for pride, but also an occasion to recall the most striking milestones in the life of the service, as well as to determine plans for the future. During this time, your service has accumulated unique experience in monitoring and forecasting the weather, providing hydrometeorological information to executive authorities, sectors of the economy and the population, responding to natural disasters in the long term aimed at minimizing damage". Vladimir Babok also added: "Belhydromet highly appreciates the cooperation with Roshydromet. Without a doubt, the joint activities of Belhydromet and Roshydromet are a matter of pride and a good example of an integrative approach in a specific area within the framework of the Union State. Today we are actively working on meteorology, hydrology, environmental monitoring, radioactive contamination control, import substitution and other areas related to hydrometeorology in one way or another. I am deeply convinced that over time the success of our joint activities will grow, and the positive results obtained will multiply!"

The presidential election in Belarus has been scheduled for 26 January 2025. The relevant decision was taken at the session of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus on 23 October. “According to Article 81 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus and Article 56 of the Electoral Code, the election of the President of the Republic of Belarus shall be appointed by the House of Representatives no later than five months and held on Sunday no later than two months before the expiration of the term of office of the previous president. In accordance with Article 83 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, the president assumes office after taking the oath of office. As soon as the newly elected president takes the oath of office, the powers of the previous president are terminated. The inauguration of the incumbent head of state took place on 23 September 2020. Accordingly, the next presidential election should be held no later than 20 July 2025,” CEC Chairman Igor Karpenko said. The legislation does not set a specific day for the presidential election, such as the single voting day for the parliamentary elections, which is held on the last Sunday of February, the CEC head said. “The basic law does not prohibit holding elections earlier, it prohibits holding them later than the established deadline. According to the Central Election Commission, 26 January 2025 is the optimal date for the presidential election of the Republic of Belarus,” he stressed. Source: BelTA  

In the period from October 15 to October 18, 2024, Belhydromet is taking part in the International Specialized Exhibition "Energy. Ecology. Energy saving. Electro" (EnergyExpo) which is held within the framework of the XXVIII Belarusian Energy and Environmental Forum. The Belarusian Energy and Environmental Forum   has been held since 1995, attracting the attention of leading Belarusian and global manufacturers of energy-efficient equipment, technologies and materials for energy, petrochemicals, housing and communal services, the manufacturing sector and environmental protection in the Republic of Belarus and is the country's largest presentation platform on these topics. The International Specialized Exhibition EnergyExpo is held to demonstrate modern achievements of science, technology and technologies in the field of energy, ecology and energy conservation. The event will be attended by leading enterprises of the energy industry, manufacturers of equipment and materials for energy, electrical engineering and electronics, as well as companies engaged in the development and implementation of energy-efficient technologies. This significant event will bring together specialists and experts in the field of energy, ecology and energy saving technologies from more than 200 enterprises and organizations, providing a unique platform for sharing experiences and discussing topical issues. Within the framework of the exhibition Belhydromet will present the work of the Republican Information System for Automated Environmental Monitoring (RISAMOS). This system allows to collect, process and analyze data on the state of the environment in Belarus. Using the system one can get information about the quality of air, water, soil, radiation conditions and other environmental parameters. Thanks to modern technologies and innovative approaches Belhydromet strives to increase the effectiveness of monitoring and improve the quality of data available to citizens, government services and scientific institutions. The leading specialists of our organization will present the exposition of Belhydromet as well as answer the questions of visitors. The venue of the exhibition: Minsk, Pobediteley ave., 20/2 (Football arena). Opening hours: October 15-17, 2024 from 10-00 to 18-00, October 18, 2024 from 10-00 to 14-00. Participation in EnergyExpo-2024 will allow Belhydromet to demonstrate its achievements and prospects for the development of an environmental monitoring system, draw attention to environmental protection and rational use of natural resources, as well as contribute to the sustainable development of the energy and environmental sector. We invite everyone interested to visit our stand to get acquainted with the work of the Republican Information System for Automated Environmental Monitoring!  

In the period from September 25 to 26, 2024 in Kazan, Russian Federation, the management and specialists of Belhydromet are taking part in the 78th meeting of the joint board of the Union State Committee on Hydrometeorology and Environmental Pollution Monitoring (Soyuzkomhydromet). For reference: The Union State Committee on Hydrometeorology and Environmental Contamination Monitoring was established in 1996 to coordinate the activities of the national hydrometeorological services of Russia and Belarus. Meetings of the joint board are held regularly and are an important tool for sharing experiences and developing joint solutions in the field of hydrometeorology. The head of Belhydromet, Vladimir Babok, speaking with a welcoming speech to the participants of the meeting, noted: "For almost 30 years, Soyuzkomhydromet has been a guarantor in ensuring hydrometeorological safety within the borders of the Union State. Over the years of its existence, Soyuzkomhydromet has acquired its own traditions, proved its relevance, and today is a key platform for cooperation between Belarus and Russia on global trends and agendas in the field of hydrometeorology and related fields, increasing interaction and mutual development of the state hydrometeorological services of Belarus and Russia."  Within the framework of the 78th meeting of the joint board of the Soyuzkomhydromet representatives of the state hydrometeorological services of the Republic of Belarus and Russian Federation will consider a wide range of topical issues in the field of hydrometeorology and related fields, including the use of the Meteorological Warnings information system which provides the formation of a consolidated map of meteorological hazards (threats) for the territory of the Union State; the content of heavy metals in atmospheric air and environmental objects on the territory of the Republic of Belarus and Russian Federation; the state and prospects of modernization of observations at water evaporation sites in the territory of the Republic of Belarus and Russian Federation. The participants of the meeting will share their experiences and discuss plans for the future. Special attention will be paid to improving the quality of weather forecasts and warnings about adverse weather events. Following the meeting, decisions will be made that will determine the vector of further joint activities of Belhydromet and Roshydromet for the near and medium term.

Today, on September 17, the Republic of Belarus celebrates the youngest state holiday – National Unity Day. This year it will be celebrated for the fourth time – the corresponding decree on its establishment was signed by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on June 7, 2021. The state holiday is timed to coincide with the anniversary of the beginning of the reunification of Western and Eastern Belarus. Then the Red Army crossed the border with Poland and began a campaign called liberation. Its result was the annexation of Western Belarus to the BSSR. Before that, most of the territory of the modern republic was part of Poland, in 1921 Belarus was divided on the basis of the Treaty of Riga. Then almost 100 thousand square kilometers were transferred to Poland, where more than three million people lived. In 2022, Alexander Lukashenko, speaking at a solemn event on September 17, stressed that the establishment of the National Unity Day holiday is Belarus' response to the modern West's attempt to divide the country. As part of the National Unity Day, various patriotic and cultural events are held in the republic - marathons, concerts, rallies and exhibitions. The staff of Belhydromet congratulates all compatriots on National Unity Day! This holiday reminds us of the importance of unity, solidarity and mutual assistance in society. May this day become a symbol of peace and harmony  between all the people of our country. May our country be strong and independent, and its people united!  

June 22, 1941 is one of the saddest dates in the history of Belarus: the Great Patriotic War began on this day. On this day, we remember those who, at the cost of their lives, fulfilled their duty to protect the Motherland, all those who died, tortured in nazi captivity, died in the rear from hunger and deprivation. Why do we need history lessons? Most of us were born and raised in peacetime. We live, study, work, create families, raise children, strive and reach career heights, take care of our children and parents. It is only on mournful and heart-wrenching dates that we remember that it was not always possible to look so confidently into the future, to live a calm and peaceful life. One of these dates is the Day of National Remembrance of the Victims of the Great Patriotic War and the Genocide of the Belarusian people, which is celebrated in Belarus on June 22. On June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany launched a war against the Soviet Union. The Nazis captured Brest and completely surrounded the fortress, but its defenders offered stubborn resistance to the invaders. Separate groups of Soviet soldiers continued to fight in the fortress until the 20th of July 1941. During the war, more than 1.3 million Belarusians and natives of Belarus fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. During the Great Patriotic War, the fascists created more than 260 death camps and places of mass extermination on the territory of Belarus. This tragic list includes Trostenets, Khatyn, the Ozarich death zone, and the Red Coast. About 1.5 million people fell victims of genocide in the camps on the territory of our country alone. More than 9 thousand settlements have been destroyed on the territory of Belarus. In this war, Belarus lost every third inhabitant - the memory of them will live forever. The Great Patriotic War was a great disaster, but also a great lesson for our people and state. The victims who fell during the war and occupation are a great unhealed wound for each of us. Thanks to these sacrifices, we all remember how important it is to preserve peace despite any political and economic differences. This memory and the date dedicated to this day teach us to find compromises and appreciate everything that is dear to us and that we can lose by losing peace. The All-Belarusian minute of silence will be held on June 22 at 12 o'clock. On the Day of National Remembrance of the Victims of the Great Patriotic War and the genocide of the Belarusian people, we will honor the memory of everyone who saved peace on our land at the cost of their lives. Belhydromet remembers those who fulfilled their duty to protect the Motherland at the cost of their lives. A  low bow to you!  

The activities of hydrometeorological services in any country always arouse genuine interest from the general public and government authorities. This necessitates the constant development and improvement of cooperation in the field of hydrometeorology. On May 22, in Grodno   the 77th meeting of the joint board of the Union State Committee on Hydrometeorology and Environmental Contamination Monitoring took place. The meeting brought together representatives of the Standing Committee of the Union State, the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus, as well as government agencies and scientific circles of Belarus and Russia. The joint activity of Roshydromet and Belhydromet within the framework of the Union State is a reason for pride and a good example of the integration interaction of the state hydrometeorological services of the two countries. One of the "mechanisms" of cooperation between Belhydromet and Roshydromet aimed at development is the implementation of programs of the Union State in the relevant field, the results of which are of high practical importance for Belarus, primarily for weather-dependent sectors of the economy such as transport, agriculture, energy, housing and communal services, as well as for organizations of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Ministry of Defense. During the meeting, experts from the two countries considered topical issues of interaction between the state hydrometeorological services of Belarus and Russia, including issues of import substitution of measuring equipment used for radiation monitoring on the territory of the Union State; prospects for the development of the accounting system of observation units of the Union State; space monitoring to solve problems of hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring; prospects for the creation of orbital and ground-based observation facilities of the Union State for the heliogeophysical situation and a number of other issues. The meeting was held in the spirit of friendly and constructive dialogue.  

Victory Day is one of the most revered holidays in sovereign Belarus. Every Belarusian family remembers those who defended our homeland not only at the front, but also in the rear. These are people whose lives during the Great Patriotic War became an example of courage, perseverance, dedication and struggle for the prosperity of our Motherland, for the life of new generations. Thousands of Minsk residents and guests of the capital came on May 9 to recall the exploits of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers who liberated their native land from the Nazi invaders and to express their great gratitude for the heroic feat of arms they performed in the name of the happiness of other people. Representatives of the leadership and professional activity of Belhydromet as part of the delegation of the Pervomaisky district of Minsk also took part in the festive events on Victory Square. The morning of May 9 began with a national laying at the obelisk monument on Victory Square as part of the patriotic campaign "Belarus Remembers". As part of the column of participants, the delegation of Belhydromet, headed by First Deputy Head Svetlana Kuzmich, went to the Victory Monument and laid flowers in memory of the fallen soldiers. Also, as part of the delegation of the Pervomaisky district of the capital, representatives of Belhydromet took part in an official wreath-laying and flower-laying event with the participation of the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.  All those present at the event honored the memory of the fallen heroes with a minute of silence.  A striking and memorable chord of the celebration of the 79th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Minsk was the gala concert "At nine o'clock in the evening after the War" as part of the Victory Square TV project on Oktyabrskaya Square. And the celebration ended with a festive fireworks, colorful volleys of which were heard at 23:00 from 6 different points of the city. We remember the feat that our grandfathers and fathers accomplished, we remember the price we paid for Victory!

In 2009, the United Nations proclaimed April 22 as International Mother Earth Day . The proclamation of this holiday is a recognition that the Earth and its ecosystems are our home and provide life for humanity. Therefore, in order to achieve a fair balance between the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations, it is necessary to promote human harmony with nature and planet Earth. The main task of this holiday is to remind people of responsibility, of the global threats and challenges facing our common home, and most importantly, to call for urgent practical actions in the interests of preserving life on Earth. Every year this Day is dedicated to a specific topic. The topic of Earth Day 2024 is "Planet or Plastic". This motto calls on us to take decisive action to reduce plastic consumption and stop the most widespread pollution of our planet. Plastic is a material with unique properties, extremely convenient in many industries, from simple food packaging to the construction of spaceships. But its most important advantage is the low cost of production. In pursuit of profit, we produce more and more plastic, turning a blind eye to the harm that we cause to nature and our own health, but this cannot continue. Belarus is one of the European countries with the largest area of untouched wildlife. Changes in ecosystems, including those caused by the introduction of "plastic components" into it, entail a threat to living organisms. That is why everything possible is being done in Belarus to avoid these changes. In our country, thanks to the special attention of President Alexander Lukashenko, environmental protection and environmental safety are included in the list of priority national interests of the state. On the eve of the International Mother Earth Day and on this date various events are organized, large-scale "environmental protection actions" are held in the form of traditional spring clean-up days, when it is customary to restore order and plant trees. As in the whole world, cities and towns are being improved in our country, large-scale tree planting campaigns are being carried out, shrubs and flowers are being planted. Planting trees in public places has become a good tradition. This year, for the International Mother Earth Day, Belhydromet team also contributed to the greening of the country by taking part in the republican clean-up held throughout the country.  

On April 9, representatives of the youth trade union activists of Belhydromet as part of the delegation of activists of the Pervomaisky district of Minsk took part in the road rally "Pervomaisky district of Minsk REMEMBERS!" within the campaign "30 days to Victory" which was organized by the administration of Pervomaisky district of the capital. Organizations and enterprises of the district from the Central Botanical Garden solemnly drove to the memorial complex "The mound of glory". At the foot of the Mound of Glory the participants of the rally gave a moment of silence in memory of Soviet soldiers and laid fresh flowers at the memorial monument. During the patriotic campaign, the participants of the rally also stopped at the 9th kilometer of the Moscow highway at the obelisk to 30 thousand buried Soviet prisoners of war, partisans and civilians shot by the Nazi invaders in 1941-1943. The representatives of  Belhydromet also took part in the solemn ceremony of laying flowers. Let every Belarusian remember the events of this terrible page of history in order to never allow Nazism in our country! As long as we live, we remember!