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UNDP SUPPORTS THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE TO ORGANISE AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND TO STRENGTHEN

Official

Today, the Government of Armenia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) opened the Information and Training Centre at the Ministry of Agriculture and signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the support that UNDP will provide for the “First Agro-Forum” International Conference. Mr. Samvel Avetisyan, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia and Ms. Lise Grande, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative presided over the event.

By supporting the Information and Training Centre, UNDP is assisting the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen its capacity in information management. Internet services will be provided at the Information Centre, helping the Ministry access the most up-to-date and important information on agricultural issues from around the world, and training will be conducted to ensure that Ministry staff have advanced information skills.

In addition to supporting the establishment of the new Centre, UNDP is also supporting the country’s “First Agro-Forum” International Conference, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture. The aim of this important conference is to promote agricultural development in Armenia by introducing the most progressive and innovative agricultural methods from around the world. An official website is being developed for the Conference and an information campaign will be conducted. The fourth “AgroProdExpo” International Exhibition will be held at the same time as the Conference.

According to Ms. Grande: “The development of agriculture in Armenia cannot be underestimated. A large part of the population lives in rural communities and agriculture is the main source of income for many Armenian families. By strengthening the capacities of the Ministry of Agriculture and helping to promote agricultural development, we are helping to reduce poverty and inequality in Armenia. We hope that the Ministry staff will use this new Information Centre to successfully communicate with the general public, including the mass media.”

Mr. Avetisian noted: “Our cooperation with UNDP has a long history, and we are grateful that resolution of the problems raised by the Ministry is always supported by our counterpart. The Information Centre, the network and the website will promote the Ministry of Agriculture worldwide, and we are confident that this will help us forge effective partnerships with international and local organisations, bilateral donors, foreign governments and private companies.”

The “First Agro-Forum” International Conference and the fourth “AgroProdExpo” International Exhibition will be held in Yerevan on October 28-29, 2004.

UNDP is the UN's global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.