OSCE office supports discussion on environmental governance

TSAKHKADZOR, Armenia, 4 November 2009 -Armenian officials and representatives of non-governmental organizations began a two-day seminar in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia, today on environmental governance challenges at the municipal level. 

The event was organized by the Fridtjof Nansen Institute of Norway with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, and in co-operation with the Ministries of Nature Protection and Territorial Administration of Armenia.

"Effective environmental protection includes transparent and accountable management at all levels. Joint efforts by the authorities and the public will help secure environmental rights locally and nationally," said Christoph Opfermann, the Economic and Environmental Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

Representatives of municipal authorities, regional environmental organizations and non-governmental organizations took part in the seminar, discussing ways to secure environmental rights at the municipal level, international practices of environmental government, and the implementation of the Aarhus Convention by Armenia.

The Aarhus Convention is an environmental agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe; it covers access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. Representatives of the OSCE- supported public environmental information centres serving as a link between environmental NGOs and governmental officials (Aarhus Centres) took part in the seminar.

"Knowledge about international governance tools will be a valuable contribution for the reform of self-government bodies in Armenia," said Peter Johan Schei, the Director of the Fridtjof Nansen Institute.

"The seminar participants outlined effective approaches to environmental governance. The event contributed to more active co-operation between the Aarhus Centres and local self-governmental bodies in the country," said Ashot Giloyan, Head of the Self-Government Department at the Ministry of Territorial Administration of Armenia.