OSCE Office helps open public environmental information centres in Armenian provinces

YEREVAN, 16 May 2007 - Aarhus public environmental information Centres will be opened in in the Kotayk, Shirak and Gegharkunik provinces of Armenia.

A memorandum of understanding on this issue was signed today between the OSCE Office in Yerevan, the Ministry of Nature Protection and the governors of the provinces.

The three new Centres in the cities of Gyumri, Razdan and Gavar, will bring the total number of Aarhus Centres in Armenia to nine. There are already Centres in Yerevan, Vanadzor, Goris, Kapan, Dilijan, and Idjevan.

The Centres are an example of a unique partnership between the State, civil society and international community, and will help promote the principles of Aarhus Convention, which include access to information, access to justice and public participation on environmental matters.

The Centres serve as a venue for the public and civil society to organize environmental hearings. They also have environmental libraries and advise and educate the public and civil society on their rights, duties and relevant legislative processes.

"This month, Armenia celebrates the 5th anniversary of the first public environmental information Centre. It was the first of its kind in the OSCE region. We welcome the efforts of the Armenian authorities, which have put Armenia at the forefront of the "Aarhus movement," said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, the Head of the OSCE Office.

Vardan Ayvazyan, Armenian Minister of Nature Protection, added: "Promoting the public's environmental rights is important for ensuring sustainable development in the country. I believe that the three new centres will contribute to promoting implementation of the Aarhus Convention in Armenia and enhance public's participation in addressing environmental matters."

The OSCE and the Organization's 2007 Spanish Chairmanship attach great importance to environmental security. They view land degradation, soil contamination and water management as key challenges to ensure environmental security and sustainable development.

The Yerevan Office together with the Office of the OSCE Co-ordinator for Economic and Environmental Activities in co-operation with the Ministry of Nature Protection also helped develop a new website of the Aarhus Centres Network ( www.armaarhus.am  ), as part of the "Environment and Security" initiative. The website features information in Armenian, English and Russian.