Below we enumerate several important legal developments regarding NGOs in the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.

Presidential Decree № 1 dated January 16, 2009 On State Registration and Liquidation (Termination of Activities) of Economic Entities  entered into force on February 1, 2009. According to the Decree, registration for different types of entities, including some legal organizational forms of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as institutions, will be carried out through a notification process, instead of the legislated registration process, as has been in practice until now. According to the decree, the entity is considered formed and assumes legal status on the date it submits all required documents while the existing process takes over two months (average indicator for NGOs).

Besides, a number of legal acts has been adopted, such as

Presidential Decree № 24 dated December 19, 2008 On Several Provisions for the Rent of Capital Buildings (Constructions, Facilities), Isolated Premises;

Presidential Edict № 689 dated December 19, 2008 On Several Measures for Improving Controls and Supervisory Activity in the Republic of Belarus.