Remarks by Ms. Sofya Simonyan, Deputy Permanent Representative of Armenia, at “Better Coherence and Coordination for the SDGs and the UNSFP”: a panel discussion on the sidelines of the UNFF14

09 մայիսի, 2019

Remarks by Ms. Sofya Simonyan, Deputy Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN
at “Better Coherence and Coordination for the SDGs and the UNSFP”: a panel discussion on the sidelines of the 14th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests
9 May 2019

It is a pleasure to be part of this conversation today, I would like to thank the IUCN for this opportunity to discuss the ways in which we work to address deforestation and land degradation and look into the impacts of such policies for human societies and sustainable development. I am happy to acknowledge the presence of Mr. Samvel Sahakyan, the head of Armenia’s delegation to the 14th session of the UN Forum on Forests. Mr. Sahakyan is the Director of the state forestry agency operating under the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia responsible for forest protection, reproduction, registration, inventory and use.

Armenia is a middle income, landlocked developing country located in a highly seismically active region, in the South Caucasus, with the respective vulnerabilities related to its mountainous terrain and ecosystems.

At present, the forests and forest lands of Armenia make up 11 percent of the total area of the country, i.e. 460 thousand hectares, of which 334 thousand hectares are forested areas. Deforestation is a major challenge facing Armenia caused by a variety of factors, including the ongoing blockade by two neighboring countries, with war and energy crisis in the early 1990s that compelled Armenia’s population to use trees for firewood. Over years, unsustainable logging, use of wood as fuel for cooking and heating, deforestation by the mining industry, and climate change have all contributed to decline of forest coverage in Armenia. Erosion, habitat loss, and diminished supplies of clean water are consequences of a low level of forest cover.

Last year, Armenia presented its first voluntary national review at the High-Level political Forum for Sustainable Development, which focused, among other policy areas, on deforestation and land degradation (SDG 15.1, 15.2, and 15.3). According to the most recent data, land degradation affects an estimated 6 percent of Armenia’s total land area. Degradation is caused by unsustainable agricultural activities, as well as deforestation, mining activities, and development of hydropower production sector.

In short, the forests of Armenia have suffered from severe deforestation and degradation during the recent decades due to the socio-economic situation in the country. Clmate change poses an additional threat for the forest ecosystems of Armenia – wildfires. The forecasted increase in temperature of Armenia’s climate is leading to more frequent wildfires, which are additionally affecting the forests of Armenia. As is the case globally, also in Armenia, wildfires are often caused by humans. To prevent this major cause of fires, Armenia has banned the burning of agricultural and plant residues in forests and agricultural lands.

Currently, the government of Armenia is working to promote a wider use of environmentally friendly practices in various sectors of economy to avoid soil degradation and pollution, desertification, and deforestation including agriculture, aquaculture, construction industry, mining and any other industry negatively affecting the environment and to promote green and sustainable practices. With the support of international financial institutions and the donor community, Armenia is implementing projects aimed at the promotion of energy efficient practices in urban and rural areas of the country, including through community-based initiatives to create economic incentives to reduce illegal logging by people living near forests as well as to help communities understand the benefits of protecting the forest. Trees provide numerous co-benefits, including a vast source of non-timber products, such as fruit and nuts, they provide a habitat for wildlife, help mitigate climate change, purification of air and water, protection of topsoil and provide jobs. Expansion of forests is one of the main goals for Armenia, not only for the forests’ protective role, but also to develop forest-related businesses and to provide sustainable livelihoods.

Forests play a critical role in the achievement of the SDGs and Armenia has embraced the agenda of forest restoration by committing to dramatically expand its forest cover and to double it by 2050. The intention is to cut as little as possible and to plant as many tress as possible. We are cognizant of the relevance, value and opportunities that forests can bring to the rights, well-being and livelihoods of populations, including to women and girls, and consequently, the importance of attention to gender perspectives in their management and safeguarding. Gender-responsive policies in support of inclusive growth and environmental stability are an important priority and we are working with our international partners towards meaningful progress in these areas.

Collaborative actions are key to meeting the deforestation challenge, and the government of Armenia has been working with many international partners including WWF, World Bank, FAO, IUCN, UNDP, CNF, GIZ, UNECE, KFW and the Green Climate Fund. We have established a very successful partnership model with the Armenia Tree Project - a non-government organization founded in 1994. As mentioned earlier, the level of deforestation in the 1990’s meant Armenia was on a dangerous path toward desertification. In 1994, the ATP stepped in and began its work, which focused on tree planting and environmental education. Over the last 25 years, nearly six million trees have been planted with a reported survival rate of 80%. The organization has four tree nurseries in Armenia where it grows native trees providing numerous benefits including habitat for the Caucasian Leopard.

In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to announce an important upcoming initiative, jointly implemented by the Armenia Tree Project and the American University of Armenia’s Acopian Center for the Environment later this year. On 20-23 October, the inaugural Forest Summit will be held in the capital of Armenia, Yerevan, which will bring together international forestry experts to discuss a wide range of policy issues, such as financing mechanisms for forest conservation and resoration, balancing rural energy demand in the context of poverty reduction and forest conservation, the role of IT and innovation in forest management and other aspects of international cooperation across a large number of sustainable development goals. We will be happy to welcome all our partners and friends at this very important meeting in October.

I thank you.

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