Designation of the CDM National Authority

On September 16, 2003, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia submitted a notification to the UNFCCC Secretariat on the assignment of the Ministry of Nature Protection (MoNP) of the Republic of Armenia as Designated National Authority (DNA) for CDM in Armenia.

The Head of Environmental Protection Department of the MoNP acting as UNFCCC National Focal Point has been nominated the DNA Contact Person.

On July 19, 2006, the Government of the Republic of Armenia adopted Decision N-974N on "Implementation of Projects within the framework of the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change".

In order to ensure the implementation of Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol under UNFCCC, the Government of the Republic of Armenia has decided to:

1. Recognize that the Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia is the Designated National Authority for the Clean Development Mechanism, which is defined by Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

2. Define that the Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia:

a) Approves the compliance of project activities implemented under the Clean Development Mechanism with the requirements of Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol;
b) Certifies the voluntary participation of project participants in projects implemented under the Clean Development Mechanism;
c) Ensures availability of information on projects implemented under the Clean Development Mechanism;
d) Conducts negotiations with potential investors and develops strategic directions for implementation of projects under the Clean Development Mechanism;
e) Ensures the efficient participation of the Republic of Armenia in international processes of the Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol;
f) Ensures the co-ordination of Clean Development Mechanism projects and project documents with relevant stakeholders and organizations, according to the procedures defined by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

The decision has also authorized the Minister of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia to develop and approve the "Procedure for submission of project documents under CDM" as well as negotiate (jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia) with international organizations and/or donors for provision of technical and financial assistance to the DNA.

With this regard, the DNA has already initiated drafting of the Procedure for CDM projects submission, evaluation and approval. The document will be introduced for approval after broad consultation with relevant state organisations and the national legislation.

At the same time, simultaneously with the approval, the DNA will have to address the issues of not lesser importance such as finalisation and approval of the DNA's structure and detailed functions of the DNA and its Secretariat as well as mechanisms for their sustainable financing.