“Climate Change Adaptation in Armenia: Challenges and Opportunities” Expo-Forum, organized in the frame of UNDP-GCF Armenia’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Project, took place on May 14.  Around 120 representatives of various sectors participated in thematic panel discussions on issues related to climate change adaptation, observing the impact of climate change on the country's economy, in particular the selected six target sectors.

Welcoming the initiative, Nona Budoyan, Head of the Climate Policy Department of the RA Ministry of Environment, noted that issues related to climate change are extremely important for Armenia, as a landlocked, developing country.

“I would like to stress the importance of organizing meetings particularly in this format, as today we have an opportunity to raise and discuss problems and gaps in sectorial policies and offer effective solutions through joint discussion. I am convinced that they will play a valuable role in developing a policy to increase our country's resilience to climate change," said Nona Budoyan.

“In Armenia climate change related issues have been the focus of UNDP’s attention for almost 20 years. Armenia’s National Adaptation Plan project, currently implemented together with the Ministry of Environment, aims to support the process of addressing climate change related challenges through development of relevant adaptation packages and outlining ways for their implementation. We are pleased to announce that yesterday, May 13, the RA Government approved the Decision on “Climate Change National Adaptation Action Plan and the List of Measures for 2021-2025” developed with the support of the NAP project, giving a more institutional nature to the processes implemented in the sector”; in his opening speech said Aram Ter-Zakaryan, Team Leader for National Adaptation Institutional Framework Enhancement of NAP Project. He added that that earlier, on April 22, RA Government approved Armenia’s 2021-2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under Paris Agreement, defining priority areas where actions would be taken to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.

During six panel discussions held within the event, participants discussed challenges, relevant adaptation measures and cooperation possibilities present in sectors most vulnerable to climate change.

A Green Expo was also held, during the event, featuring a number of private companies, which presented their products, and services that contribute to the adaptation process, from fertilizers to technical solutions.