Yerevan has worst air quality in South Caucasus – UN official

Yerevan has the worst air quality in the South Caucasus, UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Francoise Jacob said during the “The Future of Banking: Sustainable Innovation and Perspectives” forum.

According to Jacob, this affects Armenia’s appeal. She highlighted the ongoing desertification of the country’s lands and the pollution of rivers caused by agricultural, construction, and mining activities. She also pointed out that Armenia allocates only 0.6% of its GDP to environmental protection.

Jacob emphasized the important role of banks in funding the sustainable development agenda. She expressed confidence that Armenian banks can contribute to the development of a green economy, forest restoration, and some other initiatives.

The UN official stressed that in preparation for COP17, Armenia should demonstrate its commitment to protecting biodiversity. She also noted that the forum advocates for a $200 billion increase in global funding for this sector.