NCSDA TO HOLD MAIDEN MEETING IN YEREVAN

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Nov 27 2006

YEREVAN, November 27. /ARKA/. The National Council for Sustainable
Development of Armenia (NCSDA) is to hold a maiden meeting in Yerevan
before the end of 2006, stated Martina Bakhnova, an international
expert in sustainable development, "Earth Charter".

She said that the RA Government headed by Premier Andranik Margaryan
aims to revive this government body and involve NGOs in this process.

"The NCSDA’s priority task is to ensure the public’s equal involvement
in the work on this structure and the decision-making process,"
she said.

Bakhnova explained that at its maiden meeting the Council will focus
its attention on the organization of further activities. The Council
will consider the proposals made by both government representatives and
NGOs, she said. Bakhnova added that the NGOs viewpoint is of special
interest considering their deeper understanding of the problems.

The expert also pointed out that only two of the Council’s components
have been completely formed. "The 30-member Council consists of ten
Ministers, the President of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences,
as well as parliamentarians," Bakhnova said. She added that the task
of forming the NGO sector is an urgent one now.

Harmonious cooperation between the Government’s and public activities
will make the Council’s reforms more effective and create prerequisites
for effective results, he said.

The RA Premier-headed National Council for Sustainable Development was
formed on July 25, 2006. In autumn 2002, an Armenian delegation headed
by Premier Margaryan took part in the world summit of sustainable
development in Johannesburg.