OSCE helps local authorities manage environmental challenges in Armenia’s Syunik region
Enhancing skills in decision- and policy-making in environmental management was the focus of a four-day training organized for representatives of local municipalities and civil society in Armenia’s remote Syunik region on 24-27 December 2014. The event was held with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan’s Project Implementation Presence in Syunik.
The training was held for fifteen representatives from seven communities of the Syunik region, which currently face environmental challenges caused by mining activities in the area. The participants were familiarized with management tools to improve the environment through municipal activities.
Local experts from public and private sectors discussed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) implementation and compliance monitoring, assessment of the short-and long-term environmental impact on socio-economic situation; water, oil and soil monitoring; pollution prevention and control, and other related topics. The participants also looked at legal frameworks of environmental issues.
“We need to engage communities in decision-making process and legal frameworks of new mining projects,” said Mr. Vanik Sargsyan, Deputy Mayor of the city of Meghri.
The OSCE Office in Yerevan’s Project Implementation Presence in Syunik provides on-going capacity building support for the regional administration and local self-government to help improve environmental management.