Category: News

Traffic on certain streets in downtown Yerevan will be partially restricted on October 31 from 16:00 to 21:30 as part of the concluding events of COP17, police said.

The restrictions will apply to the road section from Moskovyan Street toward Tamanyan Street and from Mesrop Mashtots Avenue toward Isahakyan Street.

Police urge drivers to plan their routes in advance, use alternative roads and follow the instructions of patrol officers on site.

Environmental protection is not merely a matter of environmental policy; it is directly linked to human rights, public safety, quality of life, and the well-being of future generations.

At an international conference held in Yerevan on the sidelines of COP17, senior judges and international experts from various countries discussed environmental protection, ensuring environmental justice, and strengthening the role of the judiciary in this process.

Speakers at the international conference “Environmental Protection and the Judiciary” paid particular attention to combating environmental violations, improving the effectiveness of judicial protection, and exchanging international experience.

The event was attended by Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council of Armenia Artur Atabekyan, Minister of Justice Srbuhi Galyan, representatives of the Court of Cassation, the Administrative Court, the Supreme Judicial Council and the Academy of Justice, as well as senior judges, members of judicial councils, representatives of the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank, and international experts from Brazil, Australia, India, Finland, Nepal, Kenya and other countries.

Armenian Minister of Justice Srbuhi Galyan, emphasizing the role of the judiciary in addressing environmental issues, said that environmental protection is now a priority for all governments.

“We have a responsibility not only to ourselves but also to future generations. The events organized yesterday and today with the support of international partners are attended by judges from Armenia and various other countries who have accumulated extensive experience in this field. This is an opportunity to exchange that experience, properly identify existing problems, address them, and find effective solutions,” the minister said.

Addressing gaps in the field of environmental justice in Armenia, Galyan noted that they vary depending on the nature of the legal relations involved.

She said that one of the key challenges in administrative governance and administrative proceedings is ensuring a fair balance between the interests of the state, businesses, and citizens.

“We need to find a fair balance between the interests of the state, businesses, and citizens. It is also important for judges to be able to maintain that balance and make decisions in a timely manner. Yesterday, I had an opportunity to speak about the need to examine cases within a reasonable timeframe and emphasize that delayed justice is effectively tantamount to a denial of justice,” Galyan said.

The minister stressed that, from a policymaker’s perspective, the objective is to ensure the timely resolution of all court cases, including disputes related to environmental issues, while maintaining a fair balance of interests.

Referring to criminal justice, Galyan said that crimes against the environment often do not receive adequate attention and are not always detected. One of the problems, she said, is that such crimes are often committed by legal entities, including large corporations, while Armenia’s framework for criminal liability of legal entities remains insufficiently developed.

“We have set ourselves the task of developing the framework for criminal liability of legal entities,” the minister emphasized.

Asked whether the new Constitution would give greater emphasis to biodiversity conservation, Galyan said the matter still needs to be discussed.

“At least at this point, I can say that there will be no regression from the existing constitutional provisions. Progress will certainly be made, if not in the context of the Constitution, then through legislative initiatives,” she said.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council Artur Atabekyan emphasized that the conference is particularly significant because it is being held on the sidelines of COP17.

“I am confident that this discussion is an important opportunity to highlight the role of the judiciary in achieving environmental objectives, fulfilling legal obligations, and ensuring effective environmental protection,” Atabekyan said.

The Supreme Judicial Council chairman stressed that environmental protection is not limited to environmental policy but is also directly linked to the protection of human rights, public safety, quality of life, and the interests of future generations.

He said that, in this context, the judiciary plays a particularly important role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring effective judicial protection.

Atabekyan noted that courts contribute to environmental justice by applying environmental legislation, resolving legal disputes, and providing judicial protection for rights and legitimate interests safeguarded by law.

He added that exchanging experience with international partners offers an opportunity to study approaches developed in the judicial systems of different countries, improve legal solutions, and identify new opportunities for advancing environmental justice.

He placed particular importance on professional dialogue between judiciaries in different countries, noting that environmental issues often transcend national borders and require international cooperation and shared responsibility.

The participants were also welcomed by Antonio Herman Benjamin, Justice of Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice (STJ) and President of the Global Judicial Institute on the Environment. He emphasized that the participants had gathered to discuss one of the most important issues for the future of humanity and the planet: protecting the environment and all forms of life.

“Today we are here to discuss one of the most important issues of our lives. And when I say ‘our lives,’ I mean the entire community of life: us and all living beings on this planet. It is these living beings that make our existence possible. Oxygen, clean water, the climate system, biodiversity — all of this is what we are discussing,” Benjamin said.

He highlighted that the conference would give participants an opportunity to learn from the experience of internationally renowned judges as well as Armenian specialists.

In his remarks, Benjamin also referred to Armenia’s historical and cultural heritage, mentioning Mihr, a deity in ancient Armenian mythology associated with the concept of justice.

“Why do I mention Mihr? Because today we are here to discuss the rule of law. This is the main theme of our event. We are talking about the environment, but not merely as a separate field; we are also discussing the legal issues associated with it,” Benjamin emphasized.

He said that the international conference addressed the development of environmental law, improvement of legal mechanisms for biodiversity and ecosystem protection, the specific aspects of adjudicating environmental disputes, and ways to enhance the effectiveness of judicial protection.

Armenian Environment Minister and COP17 President Hambardzum Matevosyan said Friday that delegates at COP17 continue working intensively during the final formal plenary sessions.

“The final formal plenary sessions of COP17 are underway in Yerevan. We continue to work intensively to reach consensus on key negotiating issues and translate our shared commitments to nature conservation into concrete decisions. At this decisive stage, constructive engagement and a willingness to compromise from all of us are essential to bringing the Conference to a successful conclusion,” he said in a statement on Facebook.

Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling champion Artur Aleksanyan was reappointed National Ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for another two years on 30 October, reaffirming a shared commitment to protecting children’s rights and ensuring their well-being in Armenia.

A symbolic signing ceremony marking the continuation of the partnership took place on the main stage of COP17’s Green Zone. Aleksanyan and UNICEF Representative in Armenia Dr Ghassan Khalil signed the agreement. The celebrated athlete also signed a T-shirt bearing the UNICEF logo.

Khalil said it was a great honour to welcome Aleksanyan back into UNICEF’s family of ambassadors on the organisation’s behalf. He thanked the Armenian champion for his dedication and for representing UNICEF once again.

“Throughout the organisation’s history of more than 80 years, UNICEF National Ambassadors have played an extremely important role. They are recognised figures from the worlds of art, culture and sport who are willing to use their fame and influence to help children in need of support. This is what Mr Aleksanyan does.

“At UNICEF, we have one wish: for every child in Armenia to grow up healthy, receive a good education and live in a clean, sustainable environment. Artur, thank you for your willingness to continue this journey with us. We all have a great deal of work ahead. On behalf of the UNICEF team, I promise that we will do everything possible. And now, as COP17 draws to a close, let this day also mark our new commitment to the children who will inherit the future we are building together today,” he said.

Aleksanyan said every child could become a force for change if they were heard and given the opportunity to help shape their own future.

“Over the past two weeks, countries have discussed several important decisions that will affect our future and that of our children. I am glad that young Armenians’ voices have also been heard in those discussions.

“My sporting career has taught me a simple truth: results do not come overnight. They require a goal, discipline and daily effort. The same applies to education, health and environmental protection. If we want children to grow up strong, healthy and confident, we must provide them not only with opportunities to take part in sport but also with quality education and a clean, safe environment.

“Today, the world faces serious climate challenges, and I am confident that every child can become a force for change if we listen to them and give them the opportunity to help shape their own future. Sport has taught me to cooperate, respect others and never give up. These are precisely the values we need to build a fairer, more sustainable world in which children can thrive. Thank you to UNICEF for its trust. I am happy to continue this journey,” he said.

The ceremony was preceded by a panel discussion on the links between sport, biodiversity and education, with Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan joining Khalil and Aleksanyan.

Asked by the moderators how he assessed Aleksanyan’s role as a UNICEF National Ambassador, Khalil said the ambassadors’ main mission was to inspire and demonstrate through their own example the importance of perseverance, the drive to succeed and discipline.

Discussing climate change and environmental education, Khalil said UNICEF was implementing various programmes in Armenia to help children and young people better understand climate change and learn what they could do to protect nature.

Asked about his connection with nature, Aleksanyan said he had always enjoyed training outdoors because he recovered better after such sessions. He stressed that there would also be opportunities for outdoor training in the grounds adjoining the sports school being built in his name in Gyumri.

Responding to a question, Andreasyan highlighted the importance of an education system with sufficient diversity and flexibility to enable children to learn effectively in different settings.

“The knowledge and skills acquired through the sustained, consistent study of particular subjects are very important. I must say that nothing can replace structured learning, but it must be complemented by other methods.

“Project-based learning is an excellent approach in this respect. It develops a range of skills in our children, starting with defining a problem and identifying the underlying issue, which I consider very important. As citizens, we must be able to notice the problems around us. I also regard this as a very important component of civic education. I would very much like our pupils and young people to see biodiversity as something on which our lives depend,” she said.

Stressing the importance of green spaces near educational facilities, Andreasyan said this approach was already being implemented through the programme to build 300 schools. For schools built previously, she said restoring existing but currently unused spaces was an urgent task.

“The best option is for a school to have a garden, a sports ground and a space where people can sit together and discuss things. In this way, a school becomes not only a place for learning and teaching but also a community centre.

“We have schools in Tavush Province — for example, the newly built school in Gandzasar has extensive grounds that form a wonderful park, where people can walk and spend time in the evening. This is how we should approach school grounds,” she said.

The event concluded with an exclusive premiere of the first three episodes of the animated series “Sevanik”, created to raise environmental awareness among children.

Armenian Environment Minister and COP17 President Hambardzum Matevosyan met volunteers at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Yerevan and thanked them for their dedication, sense of responsibility and tireless work.

In a Facebook post, the minister said he had previously been a volunteer himself and understood how much effort, time and care the work required.

“With your support, thousands of participants have experienced Armenia’s warmth and hospitality during these days,” Matevosyan wrote.

He said the 23 colours of the COP17 logo symbolised the 23 targets of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, while volunteers also brought their own distinctive colour to the conference through their smiles, energy and willingness to help.

The minister thanked each volunteer for their contribution to organising COP17 and making the conference warm and memorable.

Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan met with the rectors of Armenia’s higher education institutions to discuss ongoing reforms in the sector, upcoming programs, and priorities for joint work.

The meeting was also attended by Lilit Mkrtchyan, Acting Chair of the Higher Education and Science Committee, and Deputy Chair Harutyun Sargsyan.

Introducing Mkrtchyan, Andreasyan emphasized the importance of continued and effective cooperation between the Committee and higher education institutions, noting that the success of systemic changes largely depends on the active engagement and initiative of the academic community, the ministry said in a press release.

Key topics discussed included the drafting of secondary legislation stemming from the Law on Higher Education and Science.

Andreasyan drew the rectors’ attention to the draft new procedures for organizing higher education and awarding state scholarships to students, which have been submitted for public consultation, and urged them to submit their proposals and comments.

“Our principles remain unchanged: as little bureaucracy as possible, simple procedures, digitalization, and a student-centered approach. These principles must underpin the organization of all processes,” Andreasyan said.

Addressing the introduction of the new scholarship allocation system, Andreasyan stressed that one of its main objectives is to expand access to higher education, particularly for students facing social difficulties. Under the proposed approach, students who meet the competitive admission threshold and are in need of social support should be eligible for scholarships from the very beginning of their studies. At subsequent stages, scholarship awards will be linked to students’ academic performance. The importance of introducing effective mechanisms to encourage academic excellence was also emphasized. The meeting also discussed new mechanisms for institutional funding of higher education institutions.

During the meeting, the Minister also addressed the Academic City project, announcing that construction of student accommodation facilities will begin in 2027. Preparatory work on establishing academic and technology clusters is also continuing. Other issues discussed included the digitalization of the higher education system, the introduction of a unified electronic platform, and ways to enhance the international competitiveness of higher education institutions.

Armenia has launched work to introduce consumer education in schools, including through specialized school clubs and the incorporation of consumer-related topics into the national curriculum and textbooks.

Shushan Sargsyan, nominated by the Civil Contract faction for membership in the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, spoke about the initiative during parliamentary debates on her candidacy.

Sargsyan headed the Commission’s Legal Department from 2018 for several years and also served as a Commission member.

“Work has begun in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports to introduce a consumer education component in schools of the Republic of Armenia,” Sargsyan said.

According to her, one of the planned initiatives is the establishment of consumer clubs in schools, while another is the inclusion of a consumer education component in the general education curriculum, followed by the incorporation of relevant content into textbooks.

Sargsyan emphasized the importance of continuously conducting awareness-raising and educational activities, noting that these are necessary to foster a consumer culture based on awareness of one’s rights, responsibility and informed decision-making.

Addressing further steps to protect consumer rights, the nominee said it was necessary to develop mechanisms for protecting individual rights and securing compensation.

Among the possible measures, she highlighted the establishment of a consumer dispute mediation mechanism, strengthening the capacity of non-governmental organizations, and improving digital tools.

Sargsyan also presented the work of the “Consumer Assistant” platform. According to her, it connects consumers, businesses, non-governmental organizations operating in the sector, and law firms that provide free assistance in resolving individual disputes.

Another area of future work is the development of digital tools to detect competition violations in public procurement.

“The entire analysis and detection process is carried out largely using human resources, while the range of digital tools remains limited,” Sargsyan said.

She said it was necessary to equip the electronic procurement system with tools and algorithms capable of analyzing large volumes of information and identifying problematic behavioral patterns and circumstances that may indicate possible links between entities. These could subsequently be examined as risk factors.

Summarizing the work carried out in previous years, Sargsyan also addressed the protection of the interests of citizens purchasing apartments in newly constructed buildings.

According to her, a review identified cases in which contracts included only provisions concerning the apartments themselves, without addressing the building’s shared infrastructure, adjacent areas, or common-use spaces. The Commission proposed making this information an integral part of the contract and requiring any subsequent changes to be agreed upon with buyers.

“It was proposed to establish a specific period during which the developer would be required to remedy, free of charge, any problems that emerge during the post-construction phase,” Sargsyan said.

According to her, a significant portion of the proposals has been incorporated into a draft legislative package currently under development, while the remaining proposals are still under discussion. Around 20 administrative proceedings have been initiated concerning consumer rights protection in the sector, three of which have been concluded, while 17 remain ongoing.

Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan attended the annual “ICT in Education” conference organised by the National Centre for Educational Technologies.

The event presented progress and new development opportunities relating to the new education management system and the eTwinning programme, particularly the extensive work undertaken to digitalise education.

Other participants included the ministry’s Deputy Secretary General Vahram Gasparyan; Artak Poghosyan, Director of the National Centre for Educational Technologies; Zhanna Harutyunyan, Director of the National Centre for Education Development and Innovation; Karo Nasibyan, Deputy Director of the Assessment and Testing Centre; Arsen Baghdasaryan, Deputy Head of the Education Inspectorate; heads of the ministry’s specialist and support units; and representatives of other institutions within the education system.

According to the ministry, Andreasyan said extensive work had been undertaken to digitalise the education system and was continuing, with the aim of improving efficiency and ensuring effective mechanisms for interoperability between different systems.

The minister addressed the Government’s comprehensive approach to information security and digitalisation standards, stressing that the reforms required corresponding changes across all information systems and databases.

She said difficulties arising during the initial stage were to be expected: as digitalisation expanded, cybersecurity became increasingly critical and the risk of vulnerabilities in systems grew. In this context, Andreasyan particularly emphasised the importance of protecting the education management information system’s extensive database and ensuring its interoperability with other state systems, noting that setting professional standards and ensuring security were priorities.

Addressing the need for greater responsibility in the digital environment and the extensive changes ahead, the minister said:

“We must strengthen the understanding that information platforms contain official documentation and that the data entered form the basis for crucial decisions, including funding decisions through which schools receive allocations from the state budget. Inadequate administration creates an additional burden for the entire system. From January, responsibility for managing and financing schools in the regions will come under the ministry, and ensuring the proper quality of digital tools and administration is essential to organising work on this scale effectively.”

The minister said the heads of educational institutions also had substantial work to do to ensure the education management information system operated effectively. They must take considerable responsibility for the accuracy of the data entered.

Discussing the information system’s role, Andreasyan stressed that the platform was one of the education sector’s most important tools and would continue to develop. She expressed hope that participants, as users with a direct interest in the platform, would not only learn from the discussions but also actively share their observations and opinions. This would help further improve the system, make it more useful for everyone and clarify the direction of its future development.

Concluding her remarks, Andreasyan praised the efforts of education professionals and said she expected their active participation in discussions on further improving and developing the platform. She thanked those responsible and the specialist team for their efforts, the work already completed and the work planned.

Artak Poghosyan, Director of the National Centre for Educational Technologies, presented the new myemis education management system. He said the unified platform incorporated numerous functional subsystems, ranging from electronic school diaries to platforms for first- and tenth-grade admissions, applications for voluntary teacher certification, college admissions applications and other services.

Access to the system is differentiated by user group. Teachers, school heads, members of the public and ministry representatives have separate capabilities corresponding to their roles. Ministry staff can also obtain and use comprehensive analytical data.

Poghosyan also presented the platform’s education statistics and analysis section, which provides data showing changes in schools over the years, alongside frequently used reports that can also be generated according to users’ selections.

In addition to schools, the education management system covers colleges, preschool institutions and universities.

Other work to digitalise the education system was also discussed during the meeting.

Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan met the heads of research institutes on 30 October to discuss reforms in science, the management and financing of research organisations, and arrangements for their future activities.

According to the ministry, participants included Acting Chair of the Higher Education and Science Committee Lilit Mkrtchyan and other committee representatives. Introducing Mkrtchyan, Andreasyan expressed confidence in effective cooperation and highlighted the importance of giving more comprehensive consideration to the specific characteristics of the humanities and social sciences.

Addressing the management of research organisations, the minister said the institutes’ statutes had already been approved and that forming their governing boards was a priority. The discussion also covered filling director positions, professional representation on the boards and the appraisal of researchers.

On science funding, Andreasyan reaffirmed that the Government-approved strategic programme for the development of Armenia’s science sector for 2026–2030 would be implemented, ensuring the continuity of existing programmes and the launch of new initiatives. She also stressed the importance of using public funds efficiently, evaluating research results, strengthening accountability and communicating scientific achievements to the public.

In this context, participants discussed opportunities to organise public events on 10 November to mark World Science Day, placing particular emphasis on involving schoolchildren.

They also addressed the approval of research organisations’ core funding allocations for the following year. The minister stressed the importance of arranging this process earlier to enable institutions to plan their activities effectively.

The discussion also covered the joint delivery of third-cycle higher education programmes, as well as the management of research organisations, the involvement of the National Academy of Sciences and funding.

The minister reaffirmed her readiness to maintain cooperation with the scientific community and find practical solutions to the issues raised.

Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence Davit Tadevosyan has met with Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia, Khalil Shirgholami.

The meeting addressed the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries and prospects for developing cooperation in the high-tech sector, according to the ministry’s readout.

Minister Tadevosyan emphasized the significant potential for expanding bilateral cooperation in the sector, expressing hope that it would become more comprehensive and effective in the near future.

Ambassador Shirgholami presented Iran’s technological potential, particularly highlighting the country’s achievements in nanotechnology and emphasizing Iran’s leading position in this field globally.

The ambassador expressed readiness to support the further development and deepening of Armenian-Iranian cooperation in the high-tech sector within the scope of his authority, contributing to maintaining its positive momentum.

The meeting also addressed opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation in high technologies, artificial intelligence, digital solutions, communications and telecommunications, and nanotechnology, as well as prospects for implementing joint programs and initiatives in these areas.

The importance of strengthening ties between technology companies, startups and innovative organizations in Armenia and Iran, exchanging experience, and developing joint initiatives was emphasized.

The sides also discussed the importance of ratifying a memorandum of understanding between the relevant agencies of the two countries on cooperation in the technology sector, emphasizing that it would help strengthen the foundations for further cooperation and expand opportunities for implementing joint programs.