The Coordinating Council of the Aarhus Center hosted a roundtable discussion titled “Air Pollution Issues in Yerevan: The Role of Responsible Institutions” at the Yerevan Aarhus Center. Officials from the "Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center" SNCO of the Ministry of Environment of the RA, Yerevan Municipality, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body, as well as representatives from various non-governmental organizations attended the discussion.
After welcoming the attendees, Levon Azizyan, Director of “Armhydromet” SNCO, spoke about the atmospheric air quality monitoring system and the pollution situation in Yerevan. He stated, “Air pollution remains a pressing environmental issue, impacting both our health and the urban environment. This issue has been addressed on various platforms in recent months.”
Gohar Hakobyan, Head of the Air Quality Monitoring Service of "Armhydromet" SNCO, provided an analysis of the state of atmospheric air quality monitoring and pollution. She outlined the current status of air quality monitoring, identified the primary air pollutants and their main sources, and discussed the steps being taken to enhance the atmospheric air monitoring system.
"In order to modernize the atmospheric air quality monitoring system in Armenia and align it with international standards, the Ministry of Environment was allocated 300 million drams in 2024 for the acquisition of two air quality monitoring stations. The delivery and operational deployment of these stations are expected in the first quarter of 2025. The operation of the monitoring stations will enable the measurement of key air pollutants, facilitate the timely collection of data, and allow for the prompt dissemination of information to the public,” Gohar Hakobyan noted.
Arpine Panoyan, Head of the Atmospheric Policy Department, presented the issues of atmospheric air protection, pollution reduction and prevention as a key component of the Ministry of Environment's strategic policy. The improvement of which will provide an opportunity to implement a targeted atmospheric air protection policy focused on reducing and limiting emissions into the atmosphere.
The Law "On Atmospheric Air Protection" outlines the responsibilities of individuals and legal entities operating stationary and mobile sources of air pollutants and greenhouse gases. It also outlines the obligations of those engaged in activities that involve dust emissions during the construction of buildings and structures. By adhering to these regulations, the harmful effects of economic activities on atmospheric air can be mitigated,” added Arpine Panoyan.
Representatives from the Yerevan Municipality Environmental Protection Department and the Department of Water, Atmosphere, Soil, Waste, and Hazardous Substances Control at the Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body also gave speeches.
During the discussion, various suggestions, professional opinions, and analyses were presented. In his concluding remarks, Levon Azizyan, Director of “Armhydromet” SNCO, emphasized the significance of the discussion, which aimed to clarify the responsibilities of state and local authorities and explore opportunities for cooperation in air pollution control and prevention. He expressed hope that by combining professional insights, experience, and suggestions, effective solutions could be found.