2001-ongoing

The tobacco control is another key focus of the Center and a cornerstone of ICHD’s activities since 2001. Smoking rate is traditionally very high in Armenia. About one third of Armenian adults are regular smokers. About 3,000 deaths of smokers at the age of 35-69 years in Armenia are due to diseases caused by smoking. The smoking prevalence is rather high among the adolescents. The accession of Armenia to the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2004, triggered elaboration and adoption of stricter legislation and policies on tobacco control.  However, the tobacco industry lobbying is very strong in Armenia. ICHD is a leading organization with its 12 projects in this area. The economic impact of stronger tobacco control policies were in particular focus of the Center. The ICHD was the key player in lobbying for Armenia’s accession to the FCTC and in recent increase of tobacco taxes. Two key ICHD associates represented the EURO region respectively in FCTC protocols on Illicit Tobacco Trade and in Tobacco Farming. ICHD has produced a number of publications and conducted the first ever comprehensive nationwide smoking prevalence survey in Armenia. The Center is a member to Framework Convention Alliance (FCA) and Coalition for Tobacco Free Armenia (CTFA). The ICHD operates a unique Tobacco Control web portal at http://nosmoking.ichd.org.

2006-ongoing

ICHD is considered to be the local partner of Euroforum East/West network , which operates since January, 2006. It brings together youth organizations from the three countries of the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia), Belarus and four countries of the European Union (France, Poland, Spain, Germany).

2002-2004

One of the first initiatives aimed at promoting cooperation for peace and stability in the region was the ICHD’s program on creation of a platform for regional cooperation in the sector of agriculture. ICHD’s approach considered leveraging business interests and markets in the countries of the region for peace-building and security. Thus Track Two program that evolved through 2002-2004 has commenced with market promotion projects and accomplished with the creation of the Platform for regional cooperation in agriculture, a unique B2B/B2C catalyst for the agriculture business actors in the region. The further progress of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement will revamp the platform in a new quality...