On June 27, a regional consultation on community needs for the implementation of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies was held at the COAF SMART Center in Debet Village, Lori Region.
The consultation was attended by Members of the National Assembly, representatives from Pambak local self-government bodies, UN Development Programme (UNDP), civil society organizations, experts, and youth.
The aim of the consultation was to raise awareness about Armenia’s national climate commitments -particularly the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2021–2030 -and to gather insights from local authorities, civil society, and young people on climate challenges, needs, and opportunities. It also aimed to foster dialogue with Members of Parliament.
The consultation was held within the framework of the UNDP FORSETI project (Fostering the Responsiveness, Effectiveness, Transparency, and Inclusiveness of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia), implemented with financial support from the Governments of Sweden and Canada, in partnership with the National Assembly of Armenia.
FORSETI Project Coordinator Ruzanna Hayrapetyan noted that the discussion will lead to the presentation of recommendations to the legislative body, which can help strengthen communities’ resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Mary Galstyan, Member of Parliament from "My Step" faction and Deputy Chair of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on European Integration, stated: "Combating climate change is a mindset-it must be rooted in an understanding of the risks posed by climate change. It’s far more important to prevent risks than to try to solve already existing problems. We must ensure that these issues are brought to the attention of decision-makers."
UN Climate Change Programme Senior Advisor in Armenia, Diana Harutyunyan, explained: "First, we need to understand the root cause of climate change. Primarily, it stems from the large-scale burning of fossil fuels by developed countries during industrial development, which led to an increase in greenhouse gases and rising temperatures. In Armenia, the average air temperature has already increased by 1.38°C compared to the 1961–1990 average, while the critical danger threshold defined by the Paris Agreement is 1.5°C."
"It is essential that we follow a development path aligned with the goals set out in the Paris Agreement," Harutyunyan added.
Upcoming publications will present the climate risks facing the Pambak community, proposals for mitigation and adaptation, and perspectives from experts and local residents.
July 02, 2025 at 15:45