On January 17, 2019, Tsovinar Harutyunyan, UNFPA Armenia Assistant Representative, along with other members of UNCT Armenia, led by Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia met with Dr. Karen Nazaryan, Executive Director of World Council of Churches Armenia Round Table foundation (WCC ART). The meeting was initiated by UNFPA Armenia country office.
Dr. Nazaryan presented the main directions and activities of the ART. He informed the participants about the upcoming forum on "Sustainable Development Goals and the Church" to be held in February 2019. Mr. Sharp appreciated the initiative and highlighted its importance.
WCC ART and UNFPA closely cooperate since 2010. Main direction of cooperation include prevention of domestic violence, prevention of gender-based abortions, gender issues.
After the meeting in ART office, UN delegation headed to the Holy See of Mother Etchmiadzin to meet with Kareking II, Catholicos of All Armenians.
His Grace Bishop Mushegh Babayan, Operation Director of the Mother See and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the WCC ART, and Dr. Nazaryan, the Director of the WCC ART also attended the meeting.
At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Karen Nazaryan presented His Holiness Karekin II the UN delegation led by Mr. Sharp. He also spoke about the cooperation of the UN in Armenia with the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the ART, as well as about the cooperation prospects.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia also expressed his gladness for this meeting at the Mother See. Mr. Sharp presented the activities of the UN in Armenia in various fields aimed at creating decent living conditions, protecting human rights, and overcoming the challenges the country is facing.
Emphasizing the common aspects of the missions of the UN and of the Armenian Church in a number of spheres, the UN Resident Coordinator thanked His Holiness for the cooperation between the UN agencies and the Church structures, expressing willingness to expand it. Mr. Sharp conveyed to His Holiness the gratitude of the UN General Secretariat for the consistent involvement of the Armenian Church in the interreligious dialogue and the implementation of programs for the restoration of peace in the region.
Afterwards, His Holiness Karekin II gave his blessings to the attendees, appreciating the large-scale activities of the UN in Armenia. The Catholicos of All Armenians noted with satisfaction the successful cooperation of UN specialized agencies, foundations and programs with the structures and Dioceses of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the ART.
His Holiness presented the activities of the various structures of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin particularly in educational and social and social spheres, informing the guests about the upcoming programs. His Holiness stated that in 2019, within the Year of the Family, the Mother See and Dioceses will organize events aimed at strengthening family values in the society, as well as various support programs will be implemented.
At the end of the meeting, His Holiness wished the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team fruitful work.
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Materials and photos from ART and Holy See websites were used.
