Ahead of the COP27 climate conference to be held in Egypt on November 7-18, 2022, the Republic of Armenia, represented by the Ministry of Environment, hosted representatives of around 40 countries of the Asia-Pacific region and Eastern Europe Expert Advisory Group of the Framework Convention on Climate Change on October 19-21.

The opening meeting of the workshop was held today. The workshop aims to strengthen the capacity of professionals in developing countries to help monitor the implementation of actions defined at the national level for the understanding and application of the accountability provisions of the Paris Agreement.

The Minister of Environment, Hakob Simidyan, welcomed the delegates who arrived in Armenia and thanked them on behalf of the Government for participating in this important event in the capital of the Republic of Armenia.
In his speech, the minister referred to Armenia's climate plan and talked about our country's efforts to serve that agenda.

"Our country's geographical location, landlocked, mountainous landscape, vulnerable ecosystems, and national security considerations have led to increased attention to the potential impact of climate change on the country. The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia is interested in the possibility of realizing the experience and resources of the countries grouped around the fight against climate change in our country in any way, increasing resistance and adaptation to climate change, as well as complex measures and programs aimed at the implementation of the climate plan," the minister noted.

Minister Hakob Simidyan also referred to the framework convention "On Climate Change" and the membership of the Republic of Armenia to the Paris Protocol and the country's obligations.

"The Republic of Armenia has submitted regular reports to the Secretariat of the Convention since 1998. The information referred to the inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, mitigation and adaptation measures implemented in the country, identification of vulnerable sectors, forecasts, and policy development.

In 2021, the Government of Armenia reaffirmed its Nationally Defined Actions and National Adaptation Program and Program of Activities for 2021-2025. for. The construction of the extended transparency framework resulting from the Paris Agreement is a priority for the Government of the Republic of Armenia; it is included in the Government's program of activities for the years 21-26," the minister noted.

Natia Natsvlishvili, Permanent Representative of UNDP in Armenia, made a speech. In her remarks, Ms. Natsvlishvili referred to the impact of climate change and the importance of partnership efforts to mitigate this impact.

"Climate change is already a reality, the direct impact of which is already visible. The statistics also confirm this. In Armenia, the average annual temperature and the amount of annual precipitation have decreased. We are also seeing an increase in natural disaster incidents. This risk is increasing, not only in Armenia but also in the whole world. The United Nations Development Program, in cooperation with other structures, stands by the Government of the Republic of Armenia and is ready to invest its efforts," noted Natia Natsvlishvili.

Deputy Minister of Environment Gayane Gabrielyan, member of the advisory group of experts under the Secretariat of the Framework Convention on Climate Change, Mikhail Vartanyan, and Tugba Itzmeli, head of the Transparency Department of the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, also made speeches.