Results of the UNDP-RTF regional project "Regulatory Framework to Promote Energy Efficiency in Countries of the Eurasian Economic Union" were summarized at a closing workshop held in Yerevan on December 9.  The two-year project, implemented by UNDP in Armenia, funded by the Russian Federation – UNDP Trust Fund for Development, was aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the introduction of national energy efficiency systems in the countries of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), particularly, in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

 

In his welcome speech, Deputy Minister of RA Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Hakob Vardanyan highlighted the importance of works implemented within the project aimed at promoting the energy efficiency, emphasizing their necessity for the sustainable development of the country. He welcomed the participation and support of the project experts in the development of EAEU Technical Regulation “On requirements for energy efficiency of power consuming devices”. Particularly he attached high importance to the creation of the infrastructure, notably optometric laboratories, necessary to comply with all normative and legal requirements.  

 

During the event representatives of RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure presented public policies and key programs to promote energy efficiency as well as prospective areas of cooperation with UNDP. An analysis of the regulatory framework and the monitoring system of energy efficiency EAEU countries was presented by UNDP experts.  

 

“As the Deputy Minister has already mentioned, it is difficult to overestimate the importance of energy efficiency measures for the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. Energy efficiency not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it also contributes to the decrease of the so-called energy poverty and the increases of the efficiency of small and medium businesses, thus improving the efficiency and competitiveness of the economy in general. In this regard, energy efficiency is one of the major reserves for the regional development. The project we are talking about today is unique in its own way. It is a regional initiative and our first project with an operational format that relies on the interaction between the EAEU countries. Armenia is a full-fledged member of the Union, in many ways the country's economic development parameters are linked to obligations defined in the EAEU and the logic of interaction within the Union. Given this, it was very important for us to see the potential for cooperation in the energy efficiency field, particularly, in the context of the EAEU”, said in his speech Dmitry Mariyasin, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia.

 

Representatives of UNDP COs in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan summarized the results of the UNDP-RTF regional project “Regulatory Framework to Promote Energy Efficiency in Countries of the Eurasian Economic Union”. They presented activities and achievements of the project, including positive development of the field resulted by the creation of optometric laboratories in Yerevan and Bishkek, implementation of awareness raising campaigns, development of elaborated normative regulations and legislative acts.

 

"The most important feature of this project, as already mentioned, is that it is a regional initiative, implemented within the EAEU. This allows experts to come together on a common platform, discuss existing issues and develop a unified regulatory framework for future works. I am grateful to the UNDP CO in Armenia and the local authorities of Armenia for making this project a success. I would like all the materials developed and collected during the project to be truly preserved and used for the benefit of our Eurasian Integration Union and, in particular, the development of the EAEU countries”, said Dmitry Stepanov, Councilor to the Embassy of Russian in the Republic of Armenia.

 

Participants of the workshop also discussed the potential of energy saving in EAEU countries, prospects for cooperation for energy efficiency promotion, the introduction of energy efficient public procurement in Armenia in the context of adopting the EAEU Technical Regulation on energy efficiency, challenges and opportunities of this regulation, as well as the potential of the newly established optometric laboratories in the context of opportunities created for the state, private sector and consumers.

 

  -   Press release