President Vahagn Khachaturyan's working visit to the United Arab Emirates

As part of working visit to the United Arab Emirates, President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with representatives of the local Armenian community.

Welcoming the attendees, the President underscored in his speech that he attached great importance to such meetings with the representatives of diaspora communities, as they are a good opportunity to provide compatriots living outside of Armenia with complete and reliable information on domestic and foreign developments of our country in an unrestrained atmosphere.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan informed the representatives of the community about the overall situation in Armenia, internal and external challenges and the steps taken to address them.

During the meeting, the President talked with the attendees and answered their questions in a frank atmosphere.

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As part of his working visit to the United Arab Emirates, President Vahagn Khachaturyan attended the official opening ceremony of the 28th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-28).

During the conference, the President will deliver a speech and participate in the panel discussions organized within the framework of the conference.

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Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to congratulate the President of the United Arab Emirates H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Government of the UAE on excellent organization of the COP28.

Climate change remains a topping global issue and the COP sessions remind us of the need to take a holistic approach to it for a greener, more sustainable, peaceful and healthier future.

In 2015, we made a historic step by adopting the Paris Agreement. However, as the latest report of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights, we are way off track from pathways for keeping its goals. The reasons for this are numerous, including with the continued reliance on fossil fuel-based economies at its core.

It is clear that we cannot continue down the path of excessive and unsustainable exploitation of hydrocarbons for energy production. Phasing down the demand for supply of fossil fuels is an imperative. We need to build energy systems, which are more carbon neutral and less fossil fuel reliant to meet our ambitions for climate change mitigation. The solutions are there. We need to accelerate science and build on the positive developments of the last decade by doubling and tripling the use of renewable energy sources. For that end, we need sufficient climate financing, with the Loss and Damage fund being its cornerstone.

Dear attendees,

As a mountainous developing country, Armenia is facing many challenges in this area. World Bank’s projections for Armenia indicate warming at levels significantly above the global average, of up to 4.7° degrees by the 2090s, under the highest emissions pathway. This places Armenia among the most vulnerable countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Mr. President,

Despite the serious humanitarian challenges and external security threats, Armenia takes proactive measures to fulfil our Paris Agreement promises, employing both conventional and innovative solutions that involve all segments of the society.

In 2021, Armenia declared its post-2020 climate actions, an NDC with a 40% greenhouse reduction target by 2030. Recently, we developed long-term low-emission development strategies (LT-LEDS) to guide us towards carbon neutrality. Our climate ambitions are largely anchored in the carbon-neutral energy transition. By 2030, we aim for a 15% share of solar energy in our total energy production. Armenia firmly believes that the attainment of our climate commitments can be achieved with long-term and sustainable use of nuclear power as a carbon-neutral source of energy and we appreciate the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency in this regard.

Armenia is determined to achieving its ambitious targets and securing a clean and sustainable future for the next generation. We stand ready to further contribute to global efforts to this end.

Thank you.

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President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan had short meetings with the King of the United Kingdom Charles III, the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, the President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of Isaac Herzog, the President of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid, the President of Hungary Katalin Novák, the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, the Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas, the Acting Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati, the Emir of Qatar SheikhTamim ibn Hamad Al Thani within the framework of the COP28 conference.

During the talks, the President of the Republic of Armenia touched upon the bilateral relations. The President also presented details on the overall situation and developments in Armenia and the region. Ideas were exchanged on the possibilities and prospects of establishing sustainable and lasting peace in the South Caucasus region.

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President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan participated in the panel discussion entitled "Net Zero Needs Nuclear Power" within the framework of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, one of the speakers of which was also IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

In his speech, the President underscored that Armenia strongly supports the global fight against climate change, taking practical steps and contributing to collective efforts to ensure a greener and more sustainable future for the planet.

Vahagn Khachaturyan also noted that for Armenia, nuclear energy is increasingly becoming an important component of the strategy to combat climate change, while ensuring the country's energy security.

The President also touched upon the Armenian nuclear power plant, noting that the role of the nuclear power plant is paramount for the energy sector of Armenia. "It ensures 25-30% of Armenia's energy capacity," Vahagn Khachaturyan noted.

The President recalled that in the early 90s when people in Armenia lived without gas and electricity supplies, people's lives changed significantly after the relaunch of the Armenian nuclear power plant. According to him, it contributed to the economic growth of the country and improvement of people's quality of life.

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Within the framework of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference held in Dubai, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan visited Bulgaria’s Pavilion upon the invitation of the President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev.

Vahagn Khachaturyan, accompanied by the President of Bulgaria, toured the pavilion and familiarized himself with Bulgarian industrial innovations.

After the tour, the Presidents of the two countries had a short private talk. Issues related to the further promotion of cooperation in the fields of bilateral interest were discussed.

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President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan had a meeting with the President of Slovakia Zuzana Čaputová within the COP28 conference.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the steps and possibilities to further deepen the bilateral relations.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan presented his counterpart with details on regional developments and Armenia's efforts to establish sustainable peace.

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Within the framework of the COP28th Conference held in Dubai, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan had a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan.

During the meeting, the sides discussed issues related to further promotion of bilateral relations.

The President of the Republic presented the King of Jordan with details of the overall realities and developments in the region. Ideas were exchanged on Armenia's steps and pathways to establish sustianable and lasting peace in the South Caucasus region.

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Within the framework of the UN Climate Change Conference, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan had a meeting with the President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

During the meeting, the sides highlighted the friendly nature of Armenian-Egyptian relations. Ideas were exchanged on the current agenda and further strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation in multiple areas. A wide range of international and regional issues, as well as developments in the South Caucasus and the Middle East were discussed.

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President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan met with the President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides within the framework of the UN Climate Change Conference.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the areas and possibilities of promoting cooperation in the fields of bilateral interest. Both sides highlighted the importance of further development of interstate partnership in both bilateral and multilateral formats.

During the discussion, the sides touched upon Armenia-EU multi-sectoral cooperation. Ideas were exchanged on the possibilities of opening resident embassies and consistent strengthening of mutually beneficial partnership.