OSCE AND YEREVAN STATE UNIVERSITY OPEN ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS CENTRE

armradio.am
16.09.2008 16:36

A Resource Centre on Environmental Rights opened at the Law Faculty
of the Yerevan State University today with the support of the OSCE
Office and as part of the ENVSEC Initiative.

The joint OSCE, UNDP, UNEP ENVSEC Initiative aims to provide a
framework for co-operation on environmental issues across borders
and promote peace and stability through environmental co-operation
and sustainable development.

The Initiative focuses on four regions: Central Asia, the Caucasus,
Eastern Europe and South Eastern Europe.

"The implementation of existing multilateral environmental
agreements is a guarantee of achieving the goals set by these
instruments. Advocacy of environmental rights will stimulate
sustainable development and access to environmental justice," said
Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

Aram Simonyan, the Rector of the Yerevan State University, added: "The
Centre will serve as an education and a resource hub for developing and
implementing environmental legislation, and will act as an advisory
council for the National Assembly, relevant Government agencies,
local authorities and leading civil society organizations."

The OSCE Office in Yerevan has been helping Armenia implement the 1998
Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation in
decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. Since
2002, it has helped open nine Aarhus Centers in the country.

The new Resource Centre will work in co-operation with Aarhus Centers
to address environmental issues locally and nationwide.