49 NGOs from more than 20 countries send solidarity message to NGOs of Azerbaijan, Armenia

49 NGOs and eco-activists from 22 countries issued a statement regarding the works implemented in Armenia's mining industry breach international environmental norms and standards are disrupting the ecosystem of the world, APA reports. The statement reads: "We, the undersigned civil society organizations (CSOs) express deep concerns regarding the serious environmental damage caused by the works carried out in the mining industry of the Republic of Armenia that violating international environmental norms and standards. Air and water pollution in Armenia's mining industry once regarded as a localized issue, has metastasized into a menacing force with far-reaching consequences not only for the South Caucasus but for the whole world. By polluting transboundary rivers Armenia's mining industry is suspected of causing a range of environmental problems in a wider geography stretching from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. The UN recognizes a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a fundamental human right. As the global community rallies around the UN SDGs and intensifies efforts to address environmental challenges, Armenia's actions are in contrast with these endeavors, as well as Transboundary Rivers Convention and the UN Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention). Considering the upcoming COP29 will be held in the South Caucasus, in Azerbaijan, Armenia should further protect the environment, thus to fulfill its own obligations stemming from international conventions. As a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the primary international treaty addressing climate change, to the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement linked to the UNFCCC that sets binding emission reduction targets for developed countries, the Paris Agreement, an international treaty under the UNFCCC that aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels Armenia took commitments to a ddressing climate change on a global scale and follow the rules and regulations in protecting the planet. We urge the Armenian government and the private companies operating in Armenia's mining industry to open the doors of all facilities to international experts specialized in the field of ecology and health, including to specialized NGOs from neighboring countries to allow them to inspect the facilities, evaluate and conduct monitoring, taking appropriate samples, and measuring. We share the deep concerns of civil society organizations of Armenia and Azerbaijan recently addressed to Armenian government and the companies involved to cease the mining actions in Amulsar gold mine which poses significant toxic and radioactive pollution risks for the ecosystem." Signatures: Maryam Danesh, Washington and Lee University, USA Guy Alexander Eames, Planet 2030, UK Saurabh Kumar, YOUNGO, India Patsi Stillo, Partners in Health, USA Sergey Uchayev, RNGO 'Ishonch va Hayot', Uzbekistan Matt Garnett, Michigan Univ ersity, USA Ahmad Hudu Abdullahi, Afrihealth Optonet Association, Nigeria Gleb Evgenev, MADI, Russia Konadu Jone, Altar Relief Foundation, Kenya Erna Jašarevic, NGO Bridges of friendship, Bosnia and Herzegovina Manoj Prabhu, Dure Technologies, Switzerland Emeri Eliud, TUBAE International, Kenya José María Di Bello, Fundación GEP, Argentina Kristina Zhorayeva, AFEW Kazakstan, Kazakstan Erlina Burhan, Indonesia Society of Respirologi, Indonesia Carm Citro, Partners in Health, USA Prof.Dr.Zeki Kilichaslan, 'Istanbul Verem savas dernegi', Turkey Peter Owiti, 'Wote' Youth Development Projects CBO, Kenya Kristine Yakhama, Good Health Community Programmes, Kenya John Akinnuba, Centre for Ecological and Community Development, Nigeria Naomie Nguemadjibaye dabot, ong green accademy of climate chad, Chad Ermin Jašarevic, NGO Bridges of Friendship, Bosnia and Herzegovina Samuel Iro Timoro, Tunetad Association, Kenya Gabriel Ekalale, Asegis Community Network, Kenya Nishant Chavan, Independent Public Hea lth Consultant, India Filiz Duyar Agca, Trk Toraks Dernegi, TB Working Group, Turkey Ali Iklaga, Natural Eco Capital, Nigeria Olorun Femi, Natural Eco Capital, Nigeria Alfred Edapal, Lomeds NGO, Kenya Ezekeil Odeoh, Agro Environmental Farmers Association-AGEFA, Kenya Rebecca Abulon, Asegis Community Network, Kenya Stephen Anguva Shikoli, Network of TB Champions Kenya Lemaya Lumbasi, A4Ek, Kenya Fernando Sanches, Brazilian Nursing Network for the Brazil Free of Tuberculosis, Brazil Norman Kagiso Matiting, Tbpeople Global, Botswana Festus Ngisipaan, Kakuma healthsafety Association, Kenya Shemsettin Kuzeci, Kerkuk Culture Union, Turkmanali- Irak Ere Gabriel Erukudi, LPF NGO, Kenya Lochuch Yatu, Todanyatu Community-based organisation, Kenya Joseph Ngaukon Achuka, Ayok Multi-Development organization (AMDO), Kenya alkachew Fekadu, VHS, Ethiopia Prof.Dr.Ejaz Khan, Health Services Academy, Pakistan Karani Frankline, Loyifam NGO, Kenya Mohmad Hosain Lone, International Human Rights Commission, Switz erland Charles Quist, Carepal Foundation, Ghana Shamsiya Kukanbekova, Stop TB Partnership, Tajikistan Nicolai Russu, Youth vision NGO, Moldova Collins Major Kinyuru - Pamoja TB group, Kenya Joseph Kilonzo - BISC NGO, Kenya Source: Azeri-Press news agency