The second meeting of the Intergovernmental Working group on Drought (IWG) and a seminar on regional capacity development started in Yerevan today, the purpose of which is to develop an effective policy course within the framework of the UNCCD and take measures aimed at solving the problems caused by drought.
The seminar is attended by members of the intergovernmental working group on drought, national coordinators of the Convention of the Central and Eastern Europe region.
At the beginning of the meeting, Minister of Environment Hakob Simidyan made an introductory speech, noting that combating desertification has become a strategic issue for the Republic of Armenia, and mitigating and preventing the effects of drought is the key to the stable development of the country.
"From the point of view of desertification, Armenia is a particularly vulnerable country due to its geopolitical conditions and being at a transitional stage of the economy.
Being in the dry land climate of the subtropical zone, our country is among the countries with the driest climatic conditions, and our mountainous terrain, sparsity of vegetation, half-life and incalculable use of nature have led to the fact that about 70% of the territory of the republic is subject to various degrees of desertification, and 30%-severe desertification," the minister said.
In his speech, the Minister touched upon the Republic of Armenia is strictly committed to the proper fulfillment of the obligations assumed in accordance with the UN Convention to Combat Desertification․
"The problem can be solved in a comprehensive and harmonious way by developing a policy of sustainable environmental management, environmental management, economic development:
At the initiative of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the legislative field concerning the sphere is being significantly improved, since in the process of combating desertification and drought, compliance in legislation with issues of nature protection and the use of natural resources is of paramount importance.
An effective political course is being developed and measures are being taken to solve the problems caused by the drought," Hakob Simidyan said.
The Co-Chairs of the working group, Michel Bruntrap and Alfred Prosper, the national Coordinator of the UN Convention on Combating Desertification, Narine Hakobyan, spoke.
The presentations were followed by a working discussion. The seminar will last until March 19.