United Nations Development Programme Country Office in Armenia
14, Karl Liebknecht Street, Yerevan 375010, Armenia
Contact: Aramazd Ghalamkaryan
Tel: (374 1) 56 60 73
Fax: (374 1) 54 38 11
E-mail: info@undp.am
Web:
UNDP COUNTRY OFFICE IN ARMENIA
24 March, 2004
UNDP SUPPORTS THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE TO ORGANISE AN INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE AND TO STRENGTHEN ITS COMMUNICATIONS CAPACITY
Yerevan, Armenia
Today, the Government of Armenia and the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) opened the Information and Training Centre at the
Ministry of Agriculture and signed a Memorandum of Understanding
outlining the support that UNDP will provide for the `First Agro-Forum’
International Conference. Mr. Samvel Avetisyan, Deputy Minister of
Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia and Ms. Lise Grande, UN Resident
Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative presided over the event.
By supporting the Information and Training Centre, UNDP is assisting the
Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen its capacity in information
management. Internet services will be provided at the Information
Centre, helping the Ministry access the most up-to-date and important
information on agricultural issues from around the world, and training
will be conducted to ensure that Ministry staff have advanced
information skills.
In addition to supporting the establishment of the new Centre, UNDP is
also supporting the country’s `First Agro-Forum’ International
Conference, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture. The aim of this
important conference is to promote agricultural development in Armenia
by introducing the most progressive and innovative agricultural methods
from around the world. An official website is being developed for the
Conference and an information campaign will be conducted. The fourth
`AgroProdExpo’ International Exhibition will be held at the same time as
the Conference.
According to Ms. Grande: `The development of agriculture in Armenia
cannot be underestimated. A large part of the population lives in rural
communities and agriculture is the main source of income for many
Armenian families. By strengthening the capacities of the Ministry of
Agriculture and helping to promote agricultural development, we are
helping to reduce poverty and inequality in Armenia. We hope that the
Ministry staff will use this new Information Centre to successfully
communicate with the general public, including the mass media.’
Mr. Avetisian noted: `Our cooperation with UNDP has a long history, and
we are grateful that resolution of the problems raised by the Ministry
is always supported by our counterpart. The Information Centre, the
network and the website will promote the Ministry of Agriculture
worldwide, and we are confident that this will help us forge effective
partnerships with international and local organisations, bilateral
donors, foreign governments and private companies.’
The `First Agro-Forum’ International Conference and the fourth
`AgroProdExpo’ International Exhibition will be held in Yerevan on
October 28-29, 2004.
***
UNDP is the UN’s global development network. It advocates for change and
connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people
build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with
them on their own solutions to global and national development
challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of
UNDP and our wide range of partners.
***
For further information, please contact Mr. Aramazd Ghalamkaryan, UNDP
Armenia at aramazd@undp.am.
***