The Government of the Republic of Armenia

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met with members of the Public Ecological Alliance, an umbrella organization of NGOs dealing with nature protection issues. The meeting agenda featured discussion of topical questions relating to Armenia's sustainable development, urban and ecological situation in Yerevan, threats to Lake Sevan, preservation of Armenia's biological diversity and special wildlife reserves. The representatives of non-governmental organizations mentioned that all these problems should be viewed from the perspective of sustainable development concept and solutions should be sought within the frameworks of Armenia's sustainable development commitments. They stressed the need for stepping up the activities of the National Sustainable Development Council as established by a government decree released in 2002.

Appreciative of Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan's recent remarks delivered at the RA NAS, the NGO representatives agreed that these problems could not be addressed but through systemic changes by strengthening rule of law and making active efforts towards the introduction of scientifically-based governance practices.

By summarizing the meeting, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said to be equally concerned over these problems and added that he shared the opinion of ecologists in many matters. He emphasized the role of the NSDC in terms of institutionalizing and enhancing the effectiveness of cooperation. Tigran Sargsyan promised to hold council meetings on a regular basis and jointly define their agenda. The Prime Minister accepted the NGO representatives' proposal on involvement of a few other NGOs in the activities of the council.