PRESS RELEASE

UN Department of Public Information, Yerevan Office
2 Petros Adamyan str., First Floor
Yerevan 375010, Armenia
Contact: Armine Halajyan, UN DPI Information Assistant
Tel.: (374 1) 560 212
Fax/Tel.: (374 1) 561 406

UN Armenia Office is assisting a mountaineering campaign to Mt. Elbrus

UN Armenia Office is assisting the National Alpin Federation of
the Republic of Armenia to carry out mountaineering campaign to
Mt. Elbrus. The event will be held from 3 to 13 May, 2005.

About 500 alpinists from 20 countries (CIS and other) have planned
to participate in this mountaineering campaign. The main aim is to
commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Great Victory of the II World
War by making an appeal from the peak of Elbrus to the entire humanity
on Peace and Fight against Terrorism. Flags of PEACE and VICTORY will
be placed on May 9 – the Victory Day, on Mount Elbrus.

The Armenian team comprising of three alpinists (Hayk Tonoyan –
President of Mountaineering Federation, Tigran Nersesyants –
Mountain Instructor and Lev Sarkissov – the oldest person having
climbed Everest) has intended to dedicate the ascent also to the 60th
anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Organization
– the global forerunner of peace and fight against terrorism in
the world. The promotion of the UN principles and goals, including
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is among their intentions as
well. Besides, the UN General Assembly has proclaimed 2005 as the
International Year for Sport and Physical Education, to encourage
the role of sport in promoting education, health, development and
peace. Hence, additionally, the project aims at promoting the theme
of the year.

The Armenian alpinists will carry two posters to the top of Mt. Elbrus
advocating: (i) UN 60th anniversary and Millennium Development Goals,
(ii) International Year for Sport and Physical Education. Photos and
video material will be available on their return.

Note: To mark the sixtieth anniversary of the end of the Second World
War, the General Assembly will hold a special solemn plenary meeting
during the second week of May 2005, in commemoration of the sacrifices
made during the War. Also to that end, it has declared 8 and 9 May
as a time of remembrance and reconciliation, to be observed annually
worldwide – on either day or both days as a tribute to all those who
lost their lives in the Second World War.

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