A few days ago, the results of a series of seminars on "The Role of the Private Sector in the Implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Partnership Plan of Armenia" were presented to the representatives of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, to the Ministry of Environment and partner donor organizations.
The event was organized ahead of the 26th Conference of the Framework Convention on Climate Change (# COP26) with the aim of promoting dialogue between state institutions, the international donor community and the private sector on the implementation of Armenia's ambitious climate agenda.
In her opening speech, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environment Anna Mazmanyan noted ․ "We are pleased to see the active participation of the private sector representatives under the auspices of the UNDP Armenia Office aimed at strengthening the policy dialogue on Armenia's climate agenda. The Ministry of Environment, as the coordinating agency of the sector, supports the most efficient and targeted use of financial and technical resources provided by international partners, in accordance with the priorities set by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, approved by the latter in 2021-2030. NDC. "
The proposals of the representatives of renewable energy, energy efficiency companies, consulting companies, business associations, banks, non-bank financial institutions, investment funds and business networks involved in the previous three seminars were the impetus for the possibility of program-climate financing by donor organizations.
"The proposals voiced during the previous three events, along with setting significant preconditions for public-private partnership, testify to the qualitative growth of involvement of private companies in Armenia's climate processes, as well as give new impetus to the forthcoming discussions, which will target agriculture and water use" said the UNDP Climate Change Program Coordinator Diana Harutyunyan.
The representative of the Armenian branch of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Anna Khachatryan presented the EBRD's green portfolio in Armenia, how it supports the modernization of technologies and equipment in line with EU requirements for long-term investments of local SMEs, which is essential for energy efficiency, product quality, health and safety from the point of view of environmental protection.
Representatives of local UN agencies Gayane Nasoyan (FAO Representative), Anahit Simonyan (UNDP Representative) and Nanna Scown (WFP Representative) outlined the agencies' climate initiatives and possible funding directions, highlighting successful partnerships with the private sector.
The event was an effective platform for creating new areas of cooperation between the public and private sectors, international donor organizations, in favor of the implementation Armenia's climate goals.