PRESS RELEASE
July 9, 2004

Embassy of Armenia Hosts Presentation on Armenian Science and Lake Sevan

On July 7, 2004, the Embassy of Armenia hosted members of the Federal Water Quality Association and the Greater Metropolitan Washington Area Section of the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America for a presentation on Armenian science and environmental issues. Dr. Arman Kirakossian, Armenian Ambassador to the U.S., delivered the keynote address, titled “The State of the Science in Armenia, with a View Toward the Water Environment of Lake Sevan,” to an audience of some 60 experts and officials from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Civilian Research & Development Foundation, and other public and private entities.

In his presentation and the Q&A that followed, Ambassador Kirakossian presented the modern state of scientific infrastructure, policies, and directions in Armenia. He described the many challenges facing the Armenian scientists today, such as drastic decrease in government funding, greater need for commercial viability and involvement of the private sector in directing and funding R&D, and curtailing the so-called ‘brain-drain.’ Despite these challenges, the Armenian scientists continue to make progress in many areas of fundamental and applied science due to perseverance and support from their foreign colleagues and international donors, Ambassador noted. He also presented the government’s plans to strengthen science and education sectors.

Turning to Lake Sevan, Ambassador Kirakossian described the severity of the man-made ecological problems in Lake Sevan during the twentieth century, caused by extensive irrigation and hydropower usage. The resulting 18-meter drop in water level and disruption of water balance in the lake was a good example of Soviet era environmental damage, he added. The Ambassador then noted the current positive trends in Lake Sevan ecology, but stressed the need for continuing attention for and greater international cooperation to preserve the unique environment of Lake Sevan.