Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated in the opening of "Transformation towards sustainabality: Energy and Finance" high-level conference in Dilijan. The event was organized by the Economic Perspectives Foundation with the support of the Armenian government and the Central Bank. Former president of the Central Bank Arthur Javadyan is the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation.
The President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan, Deputy Prime Ministers Mher Grigoryan and Tigran Khachatryan, numerous representatives of the Government, the National Assembly, the expert circle and the private sector participated in the conference.
In his speech, Prime Minister Pashinyan particularly said,
"Honorable Mr.President,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear guests,
It is a great honor for me to welcome you all in Armenia, Dilijan in this important conference on sustainable finance. Today we can discuss the urgent need for sustainable finance and its role in achieving long term sustainability.
The biggest challenges that we face currently, such as biodiversity loss, climate change, poverty and social inequality undoubtedly require urgent actions, and I think sustainable finance can play one of the most critical roles in addressing them.
We shall aim sustainable development goals through financial investments by aligning them with and promoting social equality and responsible finance practices.
I believe that financial institutions and business community in general can play a crucial role in achieving sustainable development. Financial institutions can integrate environmental, social and governance considerations into their decision making processes and promote sustainable growth, mitigate environmental and social risks. This will enable us to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Today we have a wonderful chance to explore the current state of sustainable finance and to discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. High level experts and professionals in the field will share their knowledge and experience on such vitally important topics as green finance, climate risk management and sustainable reporting.
I would like to note as well that sustainable finance is not just about investing in renewable energy and green technologies but is also about promoting social equality and ensuring that benefits of economic growth are shared equitably. This category requires a holistic approach that takes into account the needs of all stakeholders including marginalized groups, employees and local communities.
However, we need to recognize that sustainable finance is not an end by itself and will not fix all the problems. Although it is an important tool that can help us move towards a more sustainable future. All of us have our own role to play in this endeavor and have to do everything needed in promoting sustainable finance. And it does not matter whether we are policy makers, financial institutions or business representatives.
As a conclusion I would like to thank all the participants and speakers for joining us today in this beautiful resort city of Dilijan. I hope that this conference will be another opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from one another how to promote sustainable finance and achieve a bright future. Together we can create a world that is more just, equitable and sustainable for all. Our ultimate goal is to create a meaningful future for everybody”.
