ARMENPRESS: Armenia, Tajikistan discuss expanding environmental cooperation

Armenia and Tajikistan are discussing opportunities to expand cooperation in environmental protection, digitalization, atmospheric emissions monitoring, and exchanging experience in subsoil management.

In an interview with Armenpress, Hovhannes Martirosyan, Head of the Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body of the Republic of Armenia, said that issues related to deepening cooperation between the two countries’ environmental agencies were discussed during a meeting with Sheralizoda Bahodur Ahmadjon, Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection of Tajikistan.

“We discussed the environmental priorities of our two countries, the existing challenges, and the opportunities that could contribute to the development of cooperation. Since our agencies have quite similar functions, I believe that exchanging experience could be of practical significance,” Martirosyan said.

Martirosyan said that the meeting also addressed the mechanisms and tools used in digitalization, atmospheric emissions monitoring, and subsoil management.

“Both countries face common challenges in these areas, and it is important to understand what solutions are being applied in each country. Exchanging experience will allow us to study effective approaches and, where necessary, apply them in our work,” he said.

Asked whether cooperation would also be developed through practical projects and reciprocal visits, Martirosyan said the Armenian side had already received an invitation to visit Tajikistan to learn firsthand about its environmental management system and the mechanisms used in the sector.

“We consider it important for cooperation to be continuous and long-term. Our goal is not only to exchange experience but also to establish practical ties that could subsequently help improve the effectiveness of environmental management in both countries,” he said.

Addressing the development of environmental awareness, Martirosyan stressed that, alongside technical and management challenges, it was also important to raise public awareness of environmental issues.

He said that fostering a responsible public attitude toward environmental protection required long-term efforts and that exchanging experience between Armenia and Tajikistan could also be beneficial in this area.

Speaking about the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Martirosyan said it presented an important opportunity for Armenia to showcase its environmental priorities, technological advances, and work in the sector on the international stage.

Asked about the significance of hosting COP17 for Armenia and the opportunities it could create for the country, Hovhannes Martirosyan replied:

“The conference is an important opportunity to present Armenia on the international stage, establish new partnerships, and expand the country’s engagement in international environmental processes.”