ArmenPress
March 24 2004
INFORMATION AND TRAINING CENTER OPENS AT AGRICULTURE MINISTRY
YEREVAN, MARCH 24, ARMENPRESS: Today, the Government of Armenia
and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) opened the
Information and Training Center 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 Center, UNDP is
assisting the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen its capacity in
information management. Internet services will be provided at the
Information Center, 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 Center,
UNDP is also supporting the country’s “First Agro-Forum”
International Conference, organized 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 Center 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 Center, 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 organizations, 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.