AUA Becomes Part of United Nations Environmental Flagship Program

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On September 29, the American University of Armenia (AUA) joined the Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability (GUPES) network, a leading initiative of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). The AUA Acopian Center for the Environment (ACE) will be the GUPES focal point at AUA.

GUPES is a global network of more than 800 universities and regional partners that aim to mainstream environmental and sustainability concerns across universities. It promotes the integration of environment and sustainability concerns into teaching, research, and community engagement. It also brings focus on the management of universities including greening of university infrastructure, facilities, and operations as well as enhancing student engagement and participation in sustainability activities both within and beyond universities. 

“AUA, with its Acopian Center for the Environment, has a longstanding track record of advancing environmental sustainability in Armenia and the region,” says Alen Amirkhanian, director of the AUA Acopian Center. “We have a great deal of experience to share. More importantly, though, we have lot to learn. Joining a global network of universities that pursue similar ends will be highly valuable in this regard,” says Amirkhanian.

The AUA Acopian Center for the Environment, a research center at the American University of Armenia, promotes the protection and restoration of the natural environment through research, education, and community outreach. AUA ACE’s focus areas include sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity and conservation, greening the built environment, clean energy, and energy efficiency, as well as information technology and the environment.