In Armenia, FAO contributes to climate action in agriculture

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held a workshop under the project ‘Strengthening capacities for improving climate action in agriculture’ to share detailed information with the project actors about its objectives and to ensure a common understanding on how to realize these in a smooth manner.

Deputy Minister of Environment of Armenia Gayane Gabrielyan, Head of Department of Agricultural Programmes Elaboration, Resource Use and Cooperative Development Ira Panosyan, and FAO Representative in Armenia Raimund Jehle made opening remarks at the event, highlighting the acute necessity of fighting climate change, including in the areas of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

With a USD 300 000 grant from FAO, the project stands to support the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Economy of Armenia in improving institutional capacities and policies that will enhance climate action and implementation of the country’s nationally determined contributions (NDCs) in the abovementioned sectors. At the request of the Government of Armenia, FAO will help develop a national strategy and action plans for enhancing climate action in the agriculture sector in line with the updated NDCs; building institutional capacities on climate action in target sectors; developing an agriculture sector policy in line with the NDCs; and reinforcing Armenia’s 2020–2030 strategic development programme.

“Armenia’s Nationally determined contributions have highlighted the agriculture sector as one of the most vulnerable to climate change while recognizing the role the agriculture sector plays in greenhouse gas emissions making it a key sector for both climate change adaptation and mitigation. As FAO, we are committed to supporting Armenia in its efforts to reduce vulnerabilities and risks in the agriculture sector of the country,” said Raimund Jehle, FAO Representative in Armenia.

As a mountainous, landlocked country, Armenia is characterized by vulnerable ecosystems, arid climate, active exogenous and desertification processes, and frequent natural disasters. Armenia has become more sensitive to current and projected climate change impacts. A warmer and more drought prone environment is likely to drive significant changes in ecosystems composition, notably driving dryland expansion, forest loss, agricultural productivity, and species range shifts.

The project will be implemented during a 24-month period. The proposed timeline will allow the national responsible institutions to have capacity building to develop prioritized climate change adaptation and mitigation-related projects and activities through the conduct of training exercises on project development, establishment of a climate change mentoring programming, development of a list of prioritized project ideas and development of an action plan for attracting climate finance, positioning Armenia as a climate champion in the region and globally.

A wide array of state and non-state actors playing an active role in the country’s forest management and climate change initiatives gathered at the workshop, including representatives of the key line ministries, state institutions, academia, civil society, international organizations, and experts.