From May 6th to 8th, 2025, the Hrant Dink Foundation (HDF) hosted an Environment and Climate Dialogue Programme in Istanbul, bringing together experts from Armenia and Turkey. The programme was designed as part of the foundation’s ongoing efforts to foster direct dialogue between the two neighboring countries, and aimed at exploring opportunities for cross-border collaboration around shared environmental challenges.
The programme’s central component was the needs assessment meeting, held on May 7th, moderated by Dr. Sinan Erensü. The meeting examined shared challenges such as water management, biodiversity loss, waste management, disaster response, and the complexities of energy policy, while also identifying opportunities for joint research, educational initiatives, eco-tourism planning, and data sharing.
Following the meeting, a report titled “Two Sides of the Border: Armenia-Turkey’s Shared Environment” prepared by Sinan Erensü, was published with the support of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES). The report provides a comprehensive and actionable assessment of how environmental issues can open the door to dialogue and trust-building between the two countries.
The publication highlights both the challenges and opportunities for cooperation in the context of the Turkey–Armenia land border, which has been closed since 1993, and the absence of diplomatic relations. It offers concrete proposals such as thematic working groups, a joint digital data platform, pilot projects in the border region, the joint development of educational materials, and joint visibility at international environmental conferences.
You may download the "Two Sides of the Border: Armenia-Turkey’s Shared Environment" report here.
This report is published with the support of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Türkiye Office.
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 Two sides of the border.pdf |
