Author: Alex Nanijanian

Endorsement of Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and preparation for COP28

Noting the governing body is meeting in at a time when we are experiencing record sea surface temperatures and record high air temperatures, the acknowledges that “while some measures for the alleviation of the impacts of climate change are ongoing, the primary root causes of the climate crisis, namely fossil fuels, are barely addressed.”

The minute requests the general secretary and staff, in consultation with WCC member churches and partners, to develop a statement for COP28 addressing urgent issues.

Ecumenical Solidarity with Africa and People of African Descent

Recalling previous statements and actions by the WCC in relation to Africa and People of African Descent, the minute observes that “this year also marks the 60th anniversaries of both the African Union and the All Africa Conference of Churches, and of the March on Washington.”

The text also invites the “continued solidarity and support of all members of the worldwide ecumenical fellowship for the churches and peoples of Africa, and for all people of African descent in their ongoing search for equal human rights.”

Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)

The minute recalls previous statements and actions by the WCC, and reiterates profound concern about the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) due to the closure and blockade by Azerbaijan of the Lachin corridor, the only road connecting Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to Armenia.

The minute calls on Azerbaijan “for the immediate lifting of the blockade and to re-open the Lachin corridor to allow for the two-way free and safe passage of civilians, transport, and goods along the corridor and to guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering of the Armenian population of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh).”

Suspension of food aid to Ethiopia by USAID and WFP

The minute reiterates support of statements and letters from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and from the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia. In the text, the central committee appeals to “USAID and WFP, while investigating these allegations, to resume urgently this essential assistance to Ethiopian communities and people whose lives depend on it.”

SAYFO1915 (Syriac and Assyrian Genocide)

Recalling the minute adopted by the WCC 11th Assembly, the central committee requests "the general secretary to make preparations for observing the 110th anniversary of SAYFO1915 in 2025.”

Environmental consequences of war in Ukraine

The central committee continues to monitor with great concern the dangerous, destructive, and deadly consequences of Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, including during the period of our meeting over these recent days. “We express once again the international ecumenical fellowship’s grief and dismay at the escalating toll of lives lost and communities destroyed,” notes the minute, which also request the “general secretary to exercise all possible efforts through the churches to bring this conflict and its appalling consequences to an end.”

Kosovo and Metochia

The central committee expresses its concern regarding the volatile situation in Kosovo and Metochia, and its effects on the legal and religious rights of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the region. The central committee requests the “general secretary to consult with the Serbian Orthodox Church and with ecumenical, inter-religious and other partners, to discern ways in which the WCC might contribute to reducing tensions and mitigating risks of further escalation and conflict in the region,” reads the minute.

May 29 (Reuters) – Armenia and Azerbaijan hurled fresh accusations at each other two days before new talks aimed at clinching a peace accord to resolve decades of disputes over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The ex-Soviet states have fought two wars over the region, recognised as part of Azerbaijan but populated mainly by ethnic Armenians. Azerbaijan recaptured in 2020 chunks of territory lost in a conflict as Soviet rule collapsed in the early 1990s.

Peace talks had appeared to be making progress in recent weeks, with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan acknowledging Azerbaijan's control over Karabakh.

But Armenia accused Azerbaijan on Monday of threatening to resort to force after Azeri President Ilham Aliyev demanded the dissolution of Karabakh's "separatist" local government.

An Armenian Foreign Ministry statement, reported by the Armenpress news agency, said Aliyev was making "genocidal threats" and "preparing the ground for another aggressive action against the population of Nagorno-Karabakh".

Tension had been rising despite the peace talks over Azerbaijan's setting up of a checkpoint last month to the Lachin corridor – the only route linking Armenia with the territory. Border clashes are frequent.

Aliyev, speaking on Sunday in the town of Lachin, said it was time, after Azerbaijan's successes in the 2020 war, for Armenians to abandon their "illusions" of Karabakh independence.

"That means abiding by the laws of Azerbaijan, becoming normal, loyal citizens, tossing false state symbols onto the rubbish heap and dissolving the so-called parliament," Aliyev said in an address shown on Azeri state television.

Since the six-week 2020 conflict, ended by a Russian-brokered truce, Pashinyan and Aliyev have held several meetings, staged by Moscow, the European Union and the United States.

The two men met last week in Moscow, where Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin said he believed the two sides were making progress towards clinching a long-term peace deal.

On Wednesday, they are due to meet again at an EU development meeting in Moldova to be attended by leaders from more than 40 states as well as European institutions.

Karabakh remains the focus of their long-running dispute along with demarcation of their border, return of prisoners and establishment of trade "corridors" running through each other's territory.