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Kenyan eco-activist: We, the EPF coalition condemn statement by Armenian Ministry of Environment

11 August 2023 11:24 (UTC +04:00)

"Construction of a large metallurgical plant by Armenia in Arazdayan on the border with Azerbaijan is a disregard for the UN Convention and endangers health of the population of the border region,” Kenyan eco-activist Peter Ngola told APA.

He stressed that the Environmental Protection First coalition condemns the response statement of the Armenian Ministry of Environment: "As a member of the global community and the Environmental Protection First coalition, we continue to condemn the response statement of the Ministry of Environment of Armenia regarding the metallurgical plant that is being built in the Vedibasar region on the border with Azerbaijan Once again we emphasize that the construction of this large metallurgical plant is a disregard for international standards, in particular, the principles of the UN Economic Commission on the European Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment (Espoo Convention). This convention covers transboundary activities and mentions the importance of the participation of several countries in such cases. The construction of such plants without the mutual consent of the people living in the border area is a violation of the 1991 Espoo Convention and endangers the lives of the residents living near the area. For this reason, their meaningful participation in the process should be ensured. The tragic pollution of water resources, air, and the environment will not be ignored by future generations. Therefore, we appeal to the global community and the UN to participate in the process with their technical experts, and we appeal to the media to monitor the issue. We call on all countries, including Armenia, to make the world a better place to live, to work for peace and harmony."