On October 14, the summary of findings and recommendations proposed during the series of seminars titled “The role of private sector in implementation of Armenia’s NDC Partnership Plan” were presented to the representatives of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, Ministry of Environment and implementing donor organizations.

The event was organized at the threshold of COP26 and aimed to facilitate a dialogue between state institutions, international donor community and private sector towards realization of Armenia’s ambitious climate agenda.

The recommendations delivered by the representatives of renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors, consulting companies and business associations, banks, non-banking financial institutions, investment funds and business angel networks during three seminars held earlier, laid a groundwork in terms of programme and climate financing proposals by donor organizations.

Anna Mazmanyan, the Deputy Minister of Environment, in her opening remarks mentioned, “We are pleased to see the active participation of private sector organizations, advocated by UNDP Armenia, for advancing policy dialogue around Armenia’s climate agenda. The Ministry of Environment, acting as a coordinating body of the sector, supports the coordinated and targeted use of financial and technical resources provided by international partners in accordance with Government priorities and its adopted 2021-2030 NDCs.”

“Recommendations that were discussed during the preceding 3 seminars, along with fostering cooperation between public and private sectors, prove the increasing engagement of private sector in climate momentum in Armenia, as well as reinvigorate the next series of seminars that will target the challenges in agriculture and water resource management”, said Diana Harutyunyan, UNDP Armenia Climate Change Programme Coordinator.

Anna Khachatryan, Associate Director of EBRD Country Office, presented the EBRD’s green portfolio in Armenia and its support to long-term investments by local SMEs in upgrading their technology and equipment, necessary to meet the demands of EU standards in terms of energy efficiency, product quality, health and safety, environmental protection.

Among other presentations, the representatives of UN local agencies - Gayane Nasoyan, FAO Assistant Representative in Armenia, Anahit Simonyan, Head of UNIDO, and Nanna Skau, WFP Deputy Country Director, presented the agencies' climate initiatives and funding opportunities, highlighting the current successful partnerships with private sector.

The event served as an effective platform for creating new directions of cooperation between  public, private sectors and  international donor organizations in support of realization of Armenia's climate goals.