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(Yerevan, 17 November 2006/undp) – Today, the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development of
Armenia and 19 private companies and civil society organizations officially
launched the UN Global Compact in Armenia. Ara Petrsoyan, Deputy Minister and
Consuelo Vidal, UN resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative
presented the initiative to attendees at the ceremony in Yerevan.
At the
event, two other important agreements were signed: The first one was on the
establishment of an Arts and Crafts Training and Production Center for Disabled
Children. Global Compact participants and UNDP partner K-Telecom/VivaCell
decided to support this project. Also, a memorandum of understanding was signed
with the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia to enhance
cooperation with the UN Office in Armenia through a number of joint
initiatives.
"UNDP strongly believes that private sector has a very
crucial role to play in the development of the country and UNDP is partner in
this sense," Ms. Vidal said in her speech. "We would like to invite more private
sector companies to engage in this initiative and sign up to become members of
the Armenian network. Jointly we can do more for your business, for Armenia and
for its future."
Georg Kell, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Office in
New York, sent a welcoming message to Armenia. He wrote: "It is very encouraging
to see that the United Nations has a committed partner in the Armenian business
community that is ready to join us in carrying the Global Compact forward.
Commitment and leadership of government, civil society and academia will be
crucial for the Global Compact to succeed in your country. I am confident that
the Global Compact can take root in Armenia and help the country further
integrate into global economy and contribute to better life of the people of
Armenia."
In Armenia, the following companies and organizations have
already joined the GC Network: American University of Armenia, Ashtarak Kat,
America, Armenal, BAKSS, Broncoway, Cascade Capital Holding, Coca Cola, the
Enterprise Incubator Foundation, the International Centre for Human Development
(ICHD), KPMG Armenia, Marriott Armenia Hotel, Pyunic NGO, Tufenkian Hospitality
Unicomp, Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen (Employers) of Armenia (UMBA),
VivaCell, Grant Thornton Amyot, and Sourcio.
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ABOUT UNDP: UNDP is the UN's global network to help people meet their development needs and build a better life. The agancy is represented in 166 countries, working as a trusted partner with governments, civil society and the private sector to help them build their own solutions to global and national development challenges. Further information can be found at www.undp.org.
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For additional information, please contact Mr. Aramazd Ghalamkaryan at aramazd.ghalamkaryan@undp.org, (Tel.: +37491 436 312, +37410 566 073 + 121)
