YEREVAN — On October 23, the inaugural Forest Summit: Global Action and Armenia concluded three days of insights and shared learnings from some of the world’s leading climatologists, forestry professionals, and political leaders in Yerevan. The Summit has been heralded by Armenia’s political leadership and forestry professionals worldwide as a necessary assembly of thought-leaders at an important time. The unprecedented event was co-hosted by American University of Armenia’s Acopian Center for the Environment and Armenia Tree Project (ATP).
Armenia has fought hard to protect its forests and has shown renewed political commitment to protecting, restoring, and expanding Armenia’s forest cover. “Addressing environmental issues, and in particular forest conservation and restoration, are among the priorities of our government,” said Nikol Pashinyan, prime minister of Armenia, in his remarks to the attendees. “Environmental issues are not isolated problems. They nearly always have a global impact and call for concerted efforts to address them, and in this respect, events that provide a platform for exchanging ideas, exploring international experience and identifying potential partnerships are crucial. I am pleased to see that this conference brings together world-class professionals from whom I am sure we have much to learn.”
More than 350 attendees from 12 countries heard presentations by a host of speakers from five continents, headlined by Dr. Anthony S. Davis, interim dean and professor at the College of Forestry at Oregon State University. Davis spoke of how forest-friendly policies must be factored into policymaking worldwide, and how the planting of trees plays a crucial role in combatting climate change.
Davis lauded Armenia’s pledge to double its forest cover by 2050 as part of its commitment to the Bonn Challenge and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. “In 2050, half of the forest cover in Armenia will be based on decisions made starting now,” said Davis, addressing the crowd on Tuesday. “There should be no greater calling to work together than that information. The future of what you see as a forest in Armenia will be driven by decisions you make starting today.”
Echoing Davis, each speaker brought innovative thoughts and key learnings on the role of forests in national economies, and how planting the right trees in the right places can support communities and bolster ecosystems. Guests learned how forests benefit from innovations on water supply sustenance, international donors, tree biodiversity, and the optimal utilization of nurseries and commercial forests.
The conference underscored the urgency of the climate change crisis, and the role forests play in the fight against it. Forests help to sequester carbon dioxide, purify water, and expand habitat for entire ecosystems.