On April 4 a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Nature Protection and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia over the implementation of “HCFC Phase-out project (Phase II) in Armenia” at the UN Conference Hall . RA Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Khachik Hakobyan and RA Deputy Minister of Education and Science Vahram Mkrtchyan signed the memorandum. The Memorandum affirms the readiness of the sides to assist each other in design, development, integration and introduction  of relevant training moduels of preliminary (vocational) and middle-vocational education and training and if necessary higher education institutions included in the project.
   
UNDP Environmental Governance Portfolio Programme Associate Tatevik Koloyan delivered a welcome speech and presented the essential components of the ongoing project.  Extending a vote of thanks to the Ministry of Education and Science of RA for the cooperation, RA Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Kh. Hakobyan noted that the project prioritizes the participatory principle and the maximum involvement of the concerned ministries and for this purpose there was decided to sign a memorandum aimed at the deepening of the  cooperation between the two ministries. According to Khachik Hakobyan, the sub-components of “HCFC Phase-out project (Phase II) in Armenia”  focused on promoting the refrigerant recovery system and capacity building of specialists of middle-vocational institutions. The subcomponent thereof mentioned will spotlight capacity building in the servicing sector of refrigeration and air conditioning in Armenia, within the framework of which acquiring  25 sets of equipment for the  ozone-friendly way of servicing will be provided to the trained specialists. Besides, it is envisaged to obtain 3 sets of educational equipment and present the latter to 3 vocational institutions with the objective to supervise the corresponding vocational trainings. The project also envisages awareness-raising and propagating component in order more individuals seek to specialize in this field, as researches have shown that there is a lack of relevant specialists.

Vahram Mkrtchyan, RA Deputy Minister of Education and Science welcomed the start-up of the joint project, stressing that it had in view to select the Second Regional College, as well as two middle vocational institutions of Armavir and Ararat. Pinpointing the steps taken to mitigate global climate change, the RA Deputy Minister of Education and Science thanked for implying the efforts to address challenges.
National Ozone Unit  Coordinator Liana Ghahramanyan  emphasized that ozone depleting substances are powerful greenhouse gases (GHGs), thus the project is conducted along with United Nations Environment Program targeted at reducing the use of these gases so that to make a contribution to global climate change mitigation. According to the speaker, teachers will be trained in selected educational institutions that will conduct vocational teaching in these educational complexes. The educational institutions equipped with up-to-date technical equipment will prepare highly-qualified specialists that are in a great demand in the sphere.