From October 24 to 27, representatives of civil society organizations from Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova gathered in Gavar within the framework of the “Emerald Bridge: Strengthening Inter-Regional Green Synergy” project and an initiative implemented through cooperation between the “Blejan” NGO and the CANEECCA network, aimed at promoting synergies among the three Rio Conventions and nature-based solutions.
The participants represented civil society organizations belonging to the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum’s National Platforms Working Group 3, as well as member organizations of the Central Asian Network of Civil Society Organizations on Climate Change (CANEECCA). They were also joined by representatives of partner public and business institutions, including the Gegharkunik Regional Administration, the Kotayk and Yerevan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, ArmSwissBank, and the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center (Armhydromet) SNCO.
The events were organized in the framework of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity COP17-իhosted by Armenia with the aim of strengthening cooperation among civil society organizations in Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova and promoting a common environmental agenda.
During the four-day events, participants discussed biodiversity conservation, climate change, land degradation prevention, the application of nature-based solutions, sustainable agriculture, and public participation in environmental decision-making processes. Particular attention was paid to strengthening synergies among the objectives of the three Rio Conventions: the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
Participants visited the COP17 Green Zone, where they explored initiatives aimed at biodiversity conservation. In Gavar, they also discussed local environmental challenges, nature-based solutions for the recovery and processing of mining waste, and opportunities for sustainable water resources management.
One of the key outcomes of the meetings was the decision to establish the “Emerald Bridge” Regional Cooperation Network of Civil Society Organizations of Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova. The participants agreed to develop joint projects and partnerships, continue exchanging experiences, and actively engage in regional and international environmental platforms.
During the four-day visit, the programme also included educational and cultural excursions, offering participants an opportunity to discover the Gegharkunik Regional Museum of Local Lore, the Noratus Khachkars, the juvenile fish production facility of “Sevan Ishkhan” CJSC, and Armenian cuisine.
The initiative aims not only to strengthen ties among civil society organizations in the three countries, but also to promote coordinated approaches, public participation, and joint solutions in global environmental processes.
The project is implemented by the “BLEJAN” Ecological, Social and Business Support NGO, with financial support from the European Union and the German Marshall Fund of the United States’ “Transatlantic Foundation” (GMF TF), in cooperation with partner organizations: “Research-Intellectual Club Dialogues of Generations” (RICDOG) from Georgia and the “Terra-1530” NGO from Moldova.