Aarhus Convention, environmental strategy for Armenia discussed at OSCE-supported conference

YEREVAN, 18 June 2008 - A strategy for implementing the Aarhus Convention in Armenia, the existing challenges and closer co-operation on environmental matters at the national and international levels are the focus of a conference that opened in Yerevan today.

The event, organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Ministry of Nature Protection, brought together representatives of central and local government bodies, NGOs, and Public Environmental Information (Aarhus) centres in the country.

The Aarhus Convention grants the public rights regarding access to information, public participation and access to justice, in governmental decision-making processes on matters concerning the local, national and transboundary environment. It focuses on interactions between the public and public authorities.

"The Aarhus Convention reflects the important link between human rights and environmental protection since access to information and public participation in decision-making on ecological problems are key factors for democratic development of the society and country as a whole," said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Office.

"Through joint efforts, strong co-operation between all interested parties - the Government, provincial bodies, civil society, the public and the international community - it will be possible to achieve tangible results."

Simon Papyan, First Deputy Minister of Nature Protection, added: "I hope that the Conference will contribute to exchange of experience between representatives of various Aarhus centres on environmental governance problems and will have a positive effect on awareness raising on Armenia's commitments within the framework of the Aarhus Convention."

Since 2002, with OSCE support, nine Aarhus Centres have opened in different regions of Armenia and in the capital Yerevan. They help promote the principles of the Aarhus Convention through awareness campaigns, regional seminars and co-operation of public organizations and government bodies.

The Yerevan Conference follows a meeting in Riga from 11 to 13 June, which reflected on the 10 years since the Aarhus Convention was signed, and re-affirmed the uniqueness and effectiveness of the Convention as an international legal instrument that promotes environmental democracy.