Armenia’s premier receives WB country manager for Armenia, US, British, German ambassadors

Armenia’s Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received on Friday World Bank's Country Manager for Armenia Jean-Michel Happi, US Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern, German Ambassador to Armenia Reiner Morell and British Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Aves.

The sides discussed issues related to a conference on sustainable development expected to take place in Yerevan this year, on the initiative of the WB Yerevan office and the aforementioned states.

Mr Jean-Michel Happi said that the ongoing changes in the world mining industry necessitate the conference. Armenia has a new law on mineral resources. The bill on environmental impact assessment is on the Armenian Parliament’s agenda.

Armenia’s premier expressed gratitude for the initiative and stated the Armenian government’s willingness to sponsor the event.

The conference will enable Armenia to present its investment environment at the international level and attract private investments in the mining industry. The conference will take place following the principles of the Armenian government’s green economy and sustainable development policy.

Premier Tigran Sargsyan instructed the Minister of Territorial Administration, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister of Nature Protection and Minister of Labor and Social Affair to cooperate with the organizers in drafting the conference agenda.

The US and British ambassadors stressed that the conference is supposed to involve both transnational companies and Armenian NGOs and civil society.

This approach will facilitate the establishment of dialogue on the ways of enhancing the efficiency of mining industry. Among the sponsors of the conference are the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Armenian Development Bank (ADB), Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Armenia’s largest mining companies, and NGOs. Some 70 well-known international experts and representatives of the leading companies are expected to participate in the conference.