First results of the “Assessment of Water Sector Vulnerability to Climate Change and Climate Change Adaptation Planning in Armenia” study implemented by GEOINFO LLC in the frame of UNDP-GCF Armenia’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) project were presented at a working session held on December 17. The main purpose of the event was to discuss with stakeholders of the field and representatives of international organizations issues related to water resources vulnerability and management, as well as measures required for climate change adaptation in Armenia.

In her welcome speech, Diana Harutyunyan, UNDP in Armenia Climate Change Programme Coordinator, emphasized the importance and necessity of assessing the vulnerability of the water sector to climate change, as well as identifying methodological gaps and providing recommendations and solutions based on the best international practices.

During the event International expert on water and climate change, Director of the Center for Hydrometeorology & Remote Sensing (CHRS) at University of California, Irvine Soroosh Sorooshyan presented best international practices of the assessment of water resources vulnerability to climate change: in particular applied methods, available hydrometeorological studies and prediction scenarios. The expert introduced as well the models used in Islamic Republic of Iran for assessment of water resources consumption and projections of climate change.

UNDP and GEOINFO LLC experts presented the main purpose and scope of works of the “Assessment of Water Sector Vulnerability to Climate Change and Climate Change Adaptation Planning in Armenia” study, as well as the preliminary results of completed works, including: methods and scenarios used in river basin management planning for estimation and prediction of precipitation and river flow changes in Armenia, preliminary results of water resources vulnerability assessment studies in the context of climate change, legislative and institutional reforms implemented in the water segment and identified gaps and barriers under climate change in Armenia.

Q&A and panel discussion concluded the working session. 34 stakeholders participated in the event including representatives of state bodies, universities and international organizations. Voices suggestions and comments will be further analyzed in details and used in the vulnerability assessment of the sector.