Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN, at the Annual Session of the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA, UNOPS

06 June, 2023

Mr. President,

I thank you for your continued leadership of the work of the Executive Board.

I also thank Administrator Steiner for the comprehensive presentation and briefing on the activities of UNDP, and the efforts towards the accelerated implementation of SDGs in line with the six signature solutions [poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality].

The 2022 UNDP Annual report showcases the first results of its new Strategic Plan (2022-2025), which focuses and prioritizes areas where country demands are the greatest. The report similarly highlights the special role of the UNDP in the UN Development System in terms of promoting the 2030 Agenda.

Mr. President,

For more than 30 years, the UNDP, represented by its Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS and the UNDP Office in Yerevan, has been a trusted partner for Armenia in advancing the development agenda in line with the national priorities with a special focus on the socio-economic development, democratic governance, climate, innovation and gender equality, among others.

Throughout these years, significant progress has been made in strengthening the governance systems and institutions, that safeguard human rights and uphold rule of law, as well as in promoting economic empowerment of women and gender equality at all levels. We look forward to further strengthening the programmatic cooperation, which also takes into account the complex challenges prevalent in our region.

The current economic outlook worldwide poses new challenges for the developing countries, including landlocked developing and middle-income countries. We appreciate UNDP’s role in setting the stage for the establishment of an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) for Armenia through Development Finance Assessment and SDG budgeting. I would like to highlight also the launch of the Tax for SDGs Initiative by UNDP in Armenia, which can contribute to the effectiveness of domestic resource mobilization and strengthened capacities to better identify and investigate tax avoidance and evasion.

Mr. President,

We do believe that UNDP can have a more robust role in meeting the needs of people affected by conflicts, through actions to support the livelihoods of those on the ground who bear the direct consequences of armed conflicts, particularly in our region. While appreciating the “One UN” approach, as it relates to the institutional coherence and coordination, in our view the UNDP has the potential to come up with tailored solutions to contribute to leaving no one behind.

As we are approaching the midpoint towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the role of the UNDP is ever more important in delivering action-oriented developmental policies for the successful realization of the SDGs.

I thank you.

MFA RA
official website

Dual citizenship

Electronic visa

Visa applications