Issues Related to Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement Were Discussed

A webinar dedicated to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement was organized on November 28. The event was initiated by the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia in collaboration with its partner, the Confederation of Danish Industry.

The Republic of Armenia ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1993 and adopted the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement in February 2017. In 2021, Armenia established its national-level actions and contributions for 2021–2030 under the Paris Agreement.

Participants of the webinar addressed challenges posed by climate change, the development of necessary legislative frameworks, their impact on environmental and entrepreneurial activities, and the level of public awareness and engagement.

Alexei Sankovsky, an international consultant at the Asian Development Bank (USA), and Peter Helk, a senior advisor at the Confederation of Danish Industry, presented international experiences with NDCs. They discussed unique characteristics, general trends, challenges, and successful examples from various countries. According to Helk, studying accumulated experience allows countries to review and enhance their targets and pathways. It was emphasized that well-defined national contributions increase the likelihood of receiving organizational and financial support from international institutions, ultimately enabling more favorable outcomes.

Voskehat Isakhanyan, a chief specialist in the Climate Policy Department of Armenia’s Ministry of Environment, presented ongoing work related to national-level actions in Armenia. She noted that efforts are currently underway to develop relevant legislative drafts, with completion expected by the end of 2025. Isakhanyan also discussed the activities of a newly established interagency council.

Participants highlighted the importance of active public and business sector involvement in the development and implementation of NDCs. According to Nerses Karamanukyan, Vice President of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia, expanding industrial capacity and addressing the interests of the private sector are directly linked to climate change. It is crucial for representatives of the business community to actively participate in developing relevant actions and legal frameworks.

Alexei Sankovsky and Peter Helk shared insights on government-private sector dialogue in other countries and ways to enhance the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation. They also answered numerous questions from business representatives attending the webinar.

This was the second joint webinar organized by the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia and the Confederation of Danish Industry.