Climate change national policy and programs, vulnerabilities, and adaptation related issues as well as awareness raising opportunities were discussed with Shirak Regional Administration, education institutions and civil society representatives on April 20, during a regional visit of UNDP climate change program and Ministry of Environment.

At a workshop held in Gyumri results of The Fourth National Communication of Armenia prepared with the support of UNDP-GEF “Development of Armenia’s Fourth National Communication to the UNFCCC and Second Biennial Update Report” project and details of regional adaptation planning process, initiated under UNDP-GCF Armenia’s National Adaptation Plan Project (NAP), were introduced. 

Opening speeches were delivered by the Deputy Head of RA Ministry of Environment Strategic Policy Department Arthur Ghavalyan, Advisor to Shirak Regional Administration Head Levon Ananyan and UNDP Climate Change Programme Coordinator Diana Harutyunyan.

UNDP Climate Change Programme Coordinator, Diana Harutyunyan spoke about Armenia’s international commitments against climate change, presenting the summary and the work done under “Fourth National Communication and Second Biennial Update Report” project, highlighting the prospects of low-carbon development in the region.

Arthur Ghavalyan, Deputy Head of the Strategic Policy Department of the Ministry of Environment, informed the participants on the legislative regulations for implementation and financing of environmental programs, the purpose of environmental tax paid by companies and the process of its investment towards the environmental protection measures implemented in communities.

Current and forecasted climate change trends, assessment of vulnerability of natural resources, infrastructure, various sectors of the economy and human health vulnerability in the context of climate change, across the country and particularly in Shirak province, were presented by experts to the participants of the workshop. The planned support to development of the adaptation plan of Shirak by a selected specialized company under UNDP-GCF NAP project was presented. The importance of cooperation with regional partners was emphasized and details of planned works were introduced and discussed.  

During the regional visit, to facilitate awareness raising of climate change related issues, “Climate Box” interactive learning tool kit, developed in the frame of  “Climate Box: Climate Change Education and Awareness Project” regional project was presented to teachers from 30 schools of Shirak region. Opportunities for raising awareness and interest in climate change and climate change adaptation related issues among schoolchildren were also discussed. 

Over 25 representatives from RA Ministry of Environment, UNDP, Shirak Regional Administration and other regional state organizations, NGOs, as well as 30 teachers participated in the events held within the regional trip.