More than 420 trees were planted by the representatives of the UN Office in Armenia, Government, international community and civil society during a Tree PlantingDay organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UN Office in Armenia, the CharitableFoundation “Armenia Tree Project” in the Avan administrative district of Yerevan. The event was supported by the administration of the Avan district.

The tree planting was organized to celebrate the International Mother Earth Day within the framework of the International Year of Water Cooperation. The trees and all necessary plantingequipment were kindly provided by the “Armenia Tree Project”.

Bradley Busetto, UN Resident Coordinator said: “Every citizen has a right to live in a safe andhealthy environment and it is our obligation to protect it. That is why protection and sustainableuse of natural resources is absolutely vital, and a focus of the UN here in Armenia. I am happyto join this tradition, introduced by our Armenian partners and plant trees, thus contributingpersonally to the restoration of the green areas in this beautiful country, thus protecting natural resources as well.”

Edward Nalbandian, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted that Armenian government attaches special attention to the protection of forests, and preservation of other natural resources through broader involvement of local communities. Together we work to strengthen the management, conservation, and sustainable development of forests for the benefit of current and future generations.

The event was organized within the framework of activities aimed to achieve the MillenniumDevelopment Goals, since on April 5th, the world marked 1,000 Days to the end of 2015 – thedeadline for achieving MDGs, press service of UN Armenia Office reported.