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ENVIRONMENT AND SECURITY INITIATIVE NATIONAL WORKSHOP IN ARMENIA
armradio.am
04.04.2008 12:00
Representatives from the Armenian government and civil society
organizations will discuss the importance of integrating environment
and security considerations into national policy and planning
at a workshop organized by the Environment and Security (ENVSEC)
Initiative today.
"Environmental issues do not recognize national borders, therefore,
co-operation with neighboring states is absolutely crucial for finding
solutions to pressing environmental issues in the region," stated
Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "ENVSEC
partners provide opportunities for the countries in the region to
build co-operation on shared environmental concerns."
The Environment and Security Initiative, a joint partnership between
the OSCE, United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations
Environment Programme, the United Nations Economic Commission for
Europe, the Regional Environmental Centre for South-Eastern Europe,
and the NATO Security through Science Program as an associated
partner, co-ordinates closely with national governments to assess
and address environmental threats to security. With inputs from
national authorities and environmental experts, ENVSEC strives to
promote better regional relations through co-ordinated environmental
co-operation. The ENVSEC Initiative tackles environment and security
challenges in various regions including South Eastern Europe, Eastern
Europe, Central Asia and South Caucasus.
The workshop will provide participants with an overview of current
ENVSEC activities and will pave the way for further co-operation
and partnership in the field of environment and security in the
South Caucasus region. Similar discussions are also to be held in
Azerbadjian and Georgia this month.
Opening remarks are also expected from Ms. Consuelo Vidal, UN Resident
Co-ordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia and Mr. Aram
Harutyunyan, Armenian Minister of Nature Protection.
ENVSEC Partners first held country consultations with government
authorities and civil society representatives in each of the South
Caucasus countries in 2004 resulting in a regional assessment report on
environment and security for the South Caucasus region. This assessment
has also identified several priority environment and security issues
which require immediate attention and action.
Among the priorities identified by national authorities in the regional
assessment report, special attention was given to trans-boundary
resources such as the Kura-Araks/Aras river basin which provides
the bulk of the region's fresh water for human and agricultural
consumption. "Shared natural resources such as water are increasingly
under threat due to the region's antiquated infrastructure and rapid
economic transition," stated David Swalley, Economic and Environmental
Officer from the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and
Environmental Activities (Vienna).
"ENVSEC promotes such initiatives as water pollution monitoring and
building inter-state agreements on water usage".
armradio.am
04.04.2008 12:00
Representatives from the Armenian government and civil society
organizations will discuss the importance of integrating environment
and security considerations into national policy and planning
at a workshop organized by the Environment and Security (ENVSEC)
Initiative today.
"Environmental issues do not recognize national borders, therefore,
co-operation with neighboring states is absolutely crucial for finding
solutions to pressing environmental issues in the region," stated
Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "ENVSEC
partners provide opportunities for the countries in the region to
build co-operation on shared environmental concerns."
The Environment and Security Initiative, a joint partnership between
the OSCE, United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations
Environment Programme, the United Nations Economic Commission for
Europe, the Regional Environmental Centre for South-Eastern Europe,
and the NATO Security through Science Program as an associated
partner, co-ordinates closely with national governments to assess
and address environmental threats to security. With inputs from
national authorities and environmental experts, ENVSEC strives to
promote better regional relations through co-ordinated environmental
co-operation. The ENVSEC Initiative tackles environment and security
challenges in various regions including South Eastern Europe, Eastern
Europe, Central Asia and South Caucasus.
The workshop will provide participants with an overview of current
ENVSEC activities and will pave the way for further co-operation
and partnership in the field of environment and security in the
South Caucasus region. Similar discussions are also to be held in
Azerbadjian and Georgia this month.
Opening remarks are also expected from Ms. Consuelo Vidal, UN Resident
Co-ordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia and Mr. Aram
Harutyunyan, Armenian Minister of Nature Protection.
ENVSEC Partners first held country consultations with government
authorities and civil society representatives in each of the South
Caucasus countries in 2004 resulting in a regional assessment report on
environment and security for the South Caucasus region. This assessment
has also identified several priority environment and security issues
which require immediate attention and action.
Among the priorities identified by national authorities in the regional
assessment report, special attention was given to trans-boundary
resources such as the Kura-Araks/Aras river basin which provides
the bulk of the region's fresh water for human and agricultural
consumption. "Shared natural resources such as water are increasingly
under threat due to the region's antiquated infrastructure and rapid
economic transition," stated David Swalley, Economic and Environmental
Officer from the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and
Environmental Activities (Vienna).
"ENVSEC promotes such initiatives as water pollution monitoring and
building inter-state agreements on water usage".