The Delegation of the European Union (EU) has initiated discussions with the representatives of the civil society regarding the EU project priorities for 2022-2027 in terms of Armenia. An online discussion with civil society took place on 23 February. The environmental problems and proposals on their solution were presented by Mari Chakryan, Coordinator of EaP CSF ANP 3rd WG and President of “Public Awareness and Monitoring Centre” NGO based on the outcomes of the discussions within the 3rd WG. The participants to the discussions were the representatives of “Khazer” Ecological and Cultural NGO, “Public Awareness and Monitoring Centre” NGO, Yerevan Aarhus Centre, “Dalma-Sona” Educational-Cultural, Social-Environmental Foundation
“EcoLur” Informational NGO, “Armenian Forests” NGO, “BLEJAN” Environmental, Social, Business Support NGO, “Green Armenia” Environmental and Educational NGO, “Consumers’ Consulting Center” NGO and “Centre for Community Mobilization and Support” NGO.
Mari Chakryan noted that the long-term objective for our environmental society is to have resilient and ecologically secure environment. Medium-term ambitions are as follows: ecosystems approach, environmental good governance/ environmental democracy and eco-education.
As short-term actions, which could have commenced today, the following actions are mentioned:
Ecosystem approach, restoration of natural ecosystems, introduction of EU experience in the use of management tools in this field, ecosystem approach or application of the toolkit of ecosystem services, development of an appropriate action plan for the restoration and protection of natural ecosystems.
“Nature-based solutions are more effective and ensure sustainable development and environment favourable for human existence. From this point of view, proper resource management is attached value to. We have singled out the restoration of degraded lands, the most efficient use of water and the expansion of forest areas, the conservation of biodiversity, the provision of green paths for wildlife, so as not to hinder the natural development of ecosystems. This is an area where peace can be achieved through cooperation,” she noted.
Referring to the environmental commitments undertaken by the Republic of Armenia within the framework of international conventions, Mari Chakryan said, "Armenia is the only country in the region that has acceded to Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques, undertaking unilateral commitments. None of our neighboring countries has undertaken any commitments, has not acceded to this Convention, and the Convention does not provide for any instrument of restraint for other countries that are not party to this multilateral international treaty.
The process of examining EU’s Green Deal is important for the resilience of the economic sector. It is necessary to study the mechanisms how the figures that the EU is striving to achieve in 2-3 decades have been selected. It is necessary to try to localize the needs of Armenia, to consider the mechanism of "Green Deal" and climate and environmental challenges in terms of opportunities, but necessarily on the basis of the principle of justice.
The speaker also mentioned highlighted the importance of new technologies in green agriculture.
Referring to the process of environmental impact assessment and expertise, she noted that it continues to be a challenge in our country, while this process is very important in terms of human rights.
February 26, 2021 at 13:24