Armenia became the 38th country in the world to sign "Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action". It was signed by RA Environment Minister Hakob Simidyan and UNICEF representative in Armenia Christine Weigand on January 18, 2022.
With the declaration, Armenia undertook to ensure the involvement of children and young people, including their priorities, in climate action. About 25,000 children and young people from 463 settlements of 33 enlarged communities will participate in the implementation of the declaration.
"In Armenia, it is important to provide knowledge and information about the causes and possible consequences of climate change among the youth. It will significantly contribute to strengthening the potential of young people in order to mitigate the consequences of climate change and implement adaptation actions," RA Minister Environment Hakob Simidyan said.
Christine Weigand, the representative of UNICEF in Armenia, emphasized that the declaration refers to the health and well-being of children. "All children are exposed to air pollution. 40 percent of children are exposed to pesticides, 85 percent face water scarcity. The best investment we can make is to prepare children, to make them resilient so that they can withstand the shocks of climate change," Christine Weigand said.
Nora Alanakyan, Deputy Head of the Armenian office of Austrian Development Agency, noted: "Today we see the climate change with our own eyes. We need to join efforts because we are all affected by it, especially the youth, because they will have to act in this direction and implement policies in the future."
January 18, 2023 at 16:33