Statement by Ms. Sofya Simonyan, Deputy Permanent Representative of Armenia, at the UN Security Council Open Debate on “Addressing the impacts of climate-related disasters on international peace and security”

25 հունվարի, 2019

Statement by Ms. Sofya SIMONYAN,
Deputy Permanent Representative of Armenia
At the UN Security Council Open Debate on “Addressing the impacts of climate-related disasters on international peace and security”
25 January 2019

Mr. President,

Armenia expresses appreciation to the Council Presidency, the Dominican Republic, for initiating the present open debate. Participation of a large number of ministerial delegations is an indication of the high level of interest and importance of the topic under discussion today. We thank the Under Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo and the UNDP Administrator Mr. Achim Steiner, as well as other briefers for their comprehensive briefings.

Today’s meeting provides a good opportunity to look into the wide-ranging negative consequences of the climate change and related disasters and their immediate impacts for human societies, in terms of peace and security considerations. The meteorological records and climate projections provide abundant evidence about the vulnerability of ecosystems and populations, and highlight the need to step up efforts for international, regional and sub-regional cooperation for effective adaptation to climate change and disaster risk reduction.

As the world continues to experience risks of natural disasters, including those related to the impacts of climate change, understanding vulnerability, developing capacity for effective early warning, formulating coordinated disaster response plans, and ensuring the availability of necessary infrastructure and services will be fundamental for mitigating risk to human lives, peace and security. Recognition of mutual dependency, strong political will and genuine commitment of states to co-operation are critical prerequisites for successful risk mitigation.

Mr. President,

Located in one of the most seismically active regions of the world, Armenia is well familiar with the risk of natural disasters and their potential to cause grave destruction. Last December marked the 30th anniversary of the devastating quake which struck the northern region of Armenia in 1988, claiming lives of more than 25,000 people, leaving tens of thousands injured and hundreds of thousands without shelter. Armenia still feels the aftermath of the devastation, as many families were left fragmented, communities destroyed, industries crippled, and the haunting memories remain.

Our experience has shed light on the significance of regional and global cooperation for disaster response and risk mitigation and has led our country to prioritize building resilience and strengthening national capacity for disaster preparedness. Armenia’s standing as a middle-income country and a landlocked developing country, given the vulnerabilities of its mountainous terrain and the ecosystems, requires prioritization of climate change and disaster risk reduction strategies. In defining our polices of climate change adaptation and mitigation, we have been guided by the ‘ecosystem approach’, in line with the principles of green economy, and with a special focus on the sectors of public life that are most vulnerable to climate change.

Last June, Armenia hosted the Sub-Regional Platform for Central Asia and Caucasus for Disaster Risk Reduction, which brought together representatives of the Central Asian and South Caucasus countries, and various stakeholders involved in development and humanitarian affairs. Three years into the adoption of the Sendai Framework and the Paris agreement, participants reviewed progress, shared insights and reaffirmed commitment to effective multilateral cooperation for better disaster preparedness. We underline the potential of such cooperation in the broader context of promoting regional peace and security as well as economic growth. Armenia stands ready to offer a platform for regional dialogue and to contribute to exchange and cooperation towards better integration of disaster risk reduction into sustainable development policies.

I thank you.

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