OSCE promotes dialogue on climate change and security in Armenia

YEREVAN, 12 May 2014 – Identifying the security implications of climate change for Armenia and mapping the areas most at risk is the focus of a national consultation workshop held today in Yerevan with OSCE support.

The workshop, which brings together representatives and experts from national ministries and agencies, international organizations, Aarhus Centres and civil society, examines recent analyses of the trends and impacts of climate change in Armenia. Participants will learn about policies in dealing with climate change and provided recommendations for reducing the potential security risks posed by climate change.

 “Over the past years, climate change has moved from being a purely environmental and development issue to one of national and international security,” said Tomasz Dembski, Economic and Environmental Programme Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan. “Moreover, it has a direct impact on many other environmental and socio-economic issues, such as biodiversity, water resources, energy and public health, among other things.”

Vartouhi Asatourian, Head of the UN Division at the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “Climate change is a global issue and its prevention, response and adaption measures require international collaboration. Due to the seriousness of the implications of climate change, it is one of the priorities in the Armenian Government’s agenda for a number of years. Armenia appreciates the efforts of the international organizations and, in particular, the ENVSEC Initiative, in supporting the country’s measures on tackling the challenges posed by climate change.”

The results from the national workshops will feed into a report on climate change and security, which will be further discussed at regional consultation workshops to be organized in three regions later this year.  

The event is organized by the OSCE and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as part of a project by the Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC) on climate change and security in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the South Caucasus. The project is funded by the European Union through its Instrument for Stability, together with the Austrian Development Agency.