Over the last three decades, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has been a reliable partner of Armenia, supporting democratic reforms in our country. One of the best examples of the abovementioned is the cooperation of the programme with the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, in particular, the parliamentary assistance program implemented by the governments of Sweden, Canada, Norway and Armenia, which has significantly contributed to increasing the efficiency of the work of the RA Parliament, ensuring transparency and inclusiveness.

On October 31, a solemn event dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the activities of the UNDP in Armenia and the 5th anniversary of the effective cooperation with the National Assembly was held in the parliament.

The MPs, the representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in the Republic of Armenia, the UNDP and the NA Staff, as well as the Director and the employees of Matenadaran took part in the event.

The RA NA President Alen Simonyan gave an opening speech at the event. 

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the UNDP activities in Armenia and the 5th anniversary of the effective cooperation with the National Assembly a commemorative medal was given to the Agency by the RA NA President.

“It has been a great honor for us to stand by Armenia over the last 30 years, from economic decline, natural disasters to the long-awaited times of restoring stability,” UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Natia Natsvlishvili said upon receiving the commemorative medal. She spoke about the five years of cooperation with the National Assembly, noting that it was possible to have tangible results, which were achieved thanks to the close cooperation of the governments of Armenia, Sweden, Norway, and Canada.

Then, the Director of the Mesrop Mashtots Scientific Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts Ara Khzmalyan, spoke about the illustrated album of Anania Shirakatsi arithmetic problems created by the children at the Matenadaran, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the UNDP activities in the country.

Ara Khzmalyan thanked the UNDP for its work over the last three decades. He considered it symbolic that the Matenadaran is also participating in the anniversary events.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden Eva Sundquist and the Ambassador of Canada Andrew Turner gave speeches.

Speaking about the close and trusting cooperation between Sweden and Armenia, Eva Sundquist noted that it is based on transparency, democracy and inclusiveness. “We have actively tried to support the democratic institutions of Armenia to strengthen their capacity for accountability,” the Ambassador noted and emphasized the importance and achievements of the National Assembly-UNDP partnership. According to the rapporteur, the Government of Sweden reaffirms its continued support to the Parliament of Armenia.

The Ambassador of Canada also spoke about the partners’ joint efforts to promote the democratic reform process in Armenia. As Andrew Turner observed, the role of the National Assembly is significant in the democratic processes.

The attendees watched videos telling about the 5-year effective cooperation between the RA National Assembly and the UNDP and the process of creating the illustrated album, as well as familiarized themselves with the displayed illustrated pictures.