Two women bring environment to the fore in Armenian-Azerbaijani relations

The thematic groups for a new Armenian-Azerbaijani dialogue in early November presented their four reports to the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and other stakeholders. Of the 42 Armenian and Azerbaijanis involved in the preparation of the reports 18 were  women, and many more were involved informally

But it was only the thematic group on environment that was led by a woman on both sides: Fidan Namazova and Aghavni Harutyunyan.

Fidan Namazova, the Chair of the Group, led the Azerbaijani side, which also included, Tokay Ahmadov, Aygun Gurbanova, Anar Valiyev, and Hajar Huseynova.

Aghavni Harutyunyan, the Deputy Chair of the Group, led the Armenian side, which also included Oleg Durgaryan,  Emma Anakhasyan, Lusine Hambaryan and Hripsime Khocharyan.

The two women worked hard to build the necessary consensus within the group, which enabled the two parts of the group, after a very engaging meeting in Tbilisi on 27 October, to agree and publish their report.

The thematic group on Environment said that the conflict  impacted many areas of life in both countries, including social, economic and most importantly, environmental. Ecological consequences of the conflict would still haunt both nations for many years, and policymakers should think about how to bring both nations together to solve growing ecological problems in the region. Most importantly, bridging societies through environmental solutions can bring a much more solid and comprehensive peace rather than a narrow political one. 

In the report, the group puts forward possible solutions, taking into consideration local contexts and problems, by integrating environmental education, climate adaptation strategies, and peacebuilding efforts.

The report starts by introducing first the historical background and current environmental situation in the region and, most precisely, in two countries.

The paper than focuses on two subtopics: Environmental Education and Climate Change Adaptation in Ecosystems in Armenia and Azerbaijan. The paper covers the background of both problems and focuses on joint policy approaches to the problems, possible for both sides. An analysis is conducted, and the most relevant recommendations are listed.

In conclusion, the report presents a joint vision up to 2040 on environmental issues, and makes both short and long-term recommendations, as well as proposing a roadmap.

You can read the report of the Thematic Group on Environment here

You can read more on the initiative “New Armenian-Azerbaijani Dialogue” and access the reports of the four thematic groups, here

source: commonspace.eu with LINKS Europe (The Hague)