International organizations responded to the alarm signal raised by RA Environment Minister Romanos Petrosyan about the environmental disasters caused by the Artsakh-Azerbaijani war. "Many of our colleagues have already sent us some inquiries based on these writings to provide more detailed, factual details. The relevant subdivisions of the Ministry's staff are already working in that direction," RA Environment Minister Romanos Petrosyan said during his press conference held on January 26.
Reminder: several days ago Environment Minister Romanos Petrosyan addressed another letter to the Executive Secretaries of environmental conventions, international organizations and partners, drawing their attention to the severe consequences of the 44-day war unleashed by Azerbaijan with the support of Turkey and the involvement of foreign terrorists and mercenaries. During the war, the Azerbaijani armed forces used internationally banned cluster munitions, weapons containing white phosphorus or termite substances against the people of Artsakh.
He called on the international community to be actively involved, to assist in the thorough assessment of the environmental damage in Armenia, to alleviate the critical situation in the borderline area.
2,000 hectares of forest-covered and vegetation-covered areas in Armenia and Artsakh have been damaged as a result of the war. According to Environment Ministry, more than 1800 hectares of forest-covered territory were destroyed in the territory of the Artsakh Republic. About 170 hectares of forest-covered area of "Artsvaberd" forestry enterprise in Tavush Region was set on fire, 20-25 hectares of forest-covered and grass-covered area in the territory of Goris forestry enterprise of "ArmForest" SNCO were set on fire.
Significant damage was also caused to the protected zones of "Zangezur" biosphere reserve in Syunik Region - 3 areas with 5 hectares, 20 hectares and 40 hectares were set on fire in "Shikahogh" State Reserve.
The letter was sent to:
- UN Armenia Resident Coordinator Mr. Shombi Sharp
- Secretary General to the Ramsar Convention Ms. Martha Urrego
- Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema
- Executive Secretary of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) Ms. Jacques Trouvilliez
- Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Ms. Amy Fraenkel
- Secretary General of the Bern Convention Ms. Ursula Sticker
- Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Ms. Inger Andersen
- Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Mr. Bruno Oberle
- European Commission Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal Mr. Frans Timmermans
- EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries at European Commission Virginijus Sinkevičius.
January 28, 2021 at 15:22