Ahead of the International Ozone Layer Protection Day on September 16, the Ozone Layer Protection Program of the Ministry of Environment organized a solemn event, within the framework of which the Executive Secretary of the Ozone Secretariat, Seki Nakamura, was in Armenia for the first time.
Greeting the Ozone Secretary's visit to Armenia, Minister of Environment Hakob Simidyan congratulated his colleagues on the occasion of the environmental day and spoke about the measures and programs of the RA government aimed at protecting the ozone layer. "Armenia is a mountainous country, a significant part of whose territory is under the influence of natural high ultraviolet radiation. In this sense, the changes in the ozone layer are of particular importance for the population, flora and fauna of Armenia. Periodic measurements of ozone have been carried out in Armenia since 1993. Today, they are carried out on the slope of Mount Aragats, where the only ozone measuring station in the region is located. The received data are transferred to the Global Atmospheric Observations Network. On April 28, 1999, Armenia ratified the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol, the minister noted and referred to the results achieved by Armenia within the framework of membership of the international convention. As a result of the joint work of governments, the scientific community and industry within the framework of the Montreal Protocol of the Convention, 99% of these gases have been replaced so far. The ozone layer is now being restored, helping to heal humanity and ecosystems."
The minister noted that through the implemented programs, the Ministry of Environment is trying to strengthen and modernize the country's sectoral institutional capacities and strengthen the existing system, the continuity of the phased replacement of ozone-depleting substances and fluorinated gases, and the implementation of other obligations assumed by the Kigali amendment of the Montreal Protocol.
In his speech, the minister also referred to the importance of sectoral cooperation. "The work and dedication of one department is not enough for the proper implementation of the process of replacement of ozone-depleting substances and the recording of the desired results, because both at the individual level and at the level of public administration, there are often situations when it is necessary to combine efforts and coordinate targeted actions." The minister handed over letters of thanks to the partner departments.
Seki Nakamura, the executive secretary of the Ozone Secretariat, and Nannan Skau, the acting permanent coordinator of the United Nations in Armenia, made speeches, and in their speech, they emphasized the importance of combining efforts at the local and international levels. Ms. Seki Nakamura highly appreciated Armenia's progress in the process of replacing ozone-depleting substances. Liana Ghahramanyan, national coordinator for ozone layer issues, presented Armenia's steps towards the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and the Vienna Convention.
Representatives of partner departments made speeches, jointly implemented programs were presented. The representative of the Slovak branch of the "Daikin" company presented the innovations of the "Daikin" company for the sake of the environment.