Armenia’s priorities and involvement at the United Nations

Armenia has been a member of the United Nations since March 2 1992, when the UN GA confirmed Armenia’s application by the resolution A/RES/46/227.

Based on the universal values, principles of the protection of human rights and democracy, Armenia is actively involved in the daily work of this global organization and closely cooperates with the numerous bodies and offices of the United Nations.

International Peace and Security, Disarmament

Armenia firmly supports the full and comprehensive implementation of treaties and regimes in the fields of global disarmament, non-proliferation, arms control, confidence and security building measures.

The participation in UN Peacekeeping operations is an important contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security. Armenian peacekeepers are deployed in United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and in The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) in Mali.

Armenia is committed to contributing to the joint efforts of the UN respective bodies and member states in the fight against terrorism, which seriously threatens international peace and security. In this regard, the support to the works of United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate has a significant importance.

Through the participation in open discussions of the UN Security Council, Armenia presents its foreign policy priorities and its approaches in the context of the maintenance of international peace and security.

Development Agenda

Development agenda plays an important role in the framework of the foreign policy of Armenia. For that purpose, active participation is taking place in the initiatives and projects aimed at international development. Great importance is attached to the use and localization of the international best experience and resources. These approaches are fully reflected in the activities within the UN frameworks.

On September 15, the declaration “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” was adopted with the UN GA resolution 70/1. The declaration outlined 17 goals of sustainable development to build on the Millennium Development Goals.

The 2030 Agenda is a comprehensive framework for development cooperation with a view to transform societies and achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth that leaves no one behind. Promotion and protection of human rights, in particular economic and social rights is a key prerequisite for sustainable development. In this regard Armenia stresses the importance of focusing on human capital, the right to development and economic participation of women and youth, best practices and lessons learned.

From the perspective of inclusive cooperation in the framework of Agenda 2030, Armenia attaches importance to addressing the challenges to sustainable development, emanating from closed borders and attempts to isolate from regional economic cooperation and deprive people from their means of subsistence, as well as to addressing the development needs of the people residing in conflict areas in order to promote their engagement in achieving the sustainable development goals.

The membership in the UN Economic and Social Council has a significant importance for bringing contribution in the realization of Agenda 2030.

On December 12 2019, upon the initiative of Armenia, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, entitled “World Chess Day” under the agenda items Sport for development and peace and Culture of peace, designating 20 July as World Chess Day. The resolution, which was co-sponsored by 53 member states, acknowledges the opportunities offered by chess in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including in strengthening education, realizing the empowerment of women and girls, fostering inclusion, mutual understanding and respect.

UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), adopted in July 31 2015 for the period 2016-2020, is the basis of Armenia-UN cooperation in Armenia. The adoption of Armenia-UN sustainable development cooperation framework agreement is currently being prepared taking into consideration Armenia’s needs and priorities.

The processes related to the Sustainable Development Goals are actively underway in Armenia. For that purpose the road map and the National Action Plan for the Implementation of SDGs are in place.

Human Rights

Armenia is a strong supporter of the mutually reinforcing agendas of the protection of human rights and the prevention of mass atrocities. Protection of the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and other vulnerable groups, including children, refugees and people with disabilities, effective protection of civilians in armed conflicts are significant priorities both domestically and internationally. Active participation is carried out in the UN platforms, aiming at the political, social and economic empowerment of women and young people. Significant attention is being paid to voicing the necessity of bolder international efforts to fight racism, xenophobia, hate speech and identity based crimes.

In the framework of the United Nations, Armenia consistently advocates the genocide prevention agenda and in this context touches upon the issues of the international recognition of Armenian Genocide and fight against its denial. Number of resolutions on genocide prevention has been initiated by Armenia in the UN Human Rights Council. In 2015, during the 69th session, the UN General Assembly, at the initiative of Armenia, adopted a resolution 69/323, which proclaimed December 9 as International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. That established an important platform to highlight the importance of memorialization, education, fight against impunity and denialism in the context of the prevention agenda.

October 17, 2019, at the elections held in the UN General Assembly for the first time Armenia was elected to the Human Rights Council for the term of 2020-2022. Following the secret ballot Armenia was elected in the first round of voting by receiving 144 votes. Election to the Human Rights Council, by a significant majority of votes, is a strong testimony to the recognition by the international community of Armenia’s democratic transformation and substantial progress in terms of protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In course of the membership in the Human Rights Armenia focuses on delivering its pledges and commitments, in particular by addressing the issues of prevention of genocide and mass atrocities, countering hate crimes targeting ethnic and religious groups, protecting the rights of women and youth, building peaceful and inclusive societies.

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