From April 25- 30, the MCA-Mongolia Environmental and Social Impact Assessment team, led by Mr. Batsaikhan, visited Armenia.
Unlike the Armenian Program, which is coming to its end on September 29, 2011, the Mongolian Program is in the first stage of implementation. Given that MCC demands and approaches are the same for all the Compact countries, MCA-Mongolia's team had a study tour to Armenia in order to familiarize themselves with the Armenian experience on compliance monitoring and supervision within the frames of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, as well as the key approaches of projects management. MCA-Armenia ESIA team in its turn spared no effort to give as much information and materials as possible and emphasized all the important issues and lessons learned during Program implementation that might be useful for their colleagues.

More than 12 different presentations were made for the Mongolian team, on topics specifically related to the ESIAO component as well as general programmatic issues. The MCA-Armenia team, together with the representatives of ESIAO Consultant organization Mott MacDonald, made presentations on the management structure and activities of ESIAO, reporting, Program close-out process, and the role of environmental monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in the Program management activities. Sector presentations included the following key topics: the new system of ESIA practical management, structure and supervision; preparation and implementation of Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental Management Plans; oversight and compliance monitoring during construction; cooperation with other parties; gender approaches within the Program; and resettlement action plan preparation and implementation. The presentations were followed by site visits to illustrate environmental and social practices and actions on site. Site visits to the Aygezard and Ararat Drainage System were illustrated as resettlement action plan implementation locations, and the Martuni and Zolakar pumping stations were locations where EIA/EMP were developed and implemented, as well as locations where hazardous waste management guidelines /developed by MCA-Armenia/ were implemented.

The MCA-Mongolian team representatives also participated at the tree planting events in Zolakar and Martuni communities devoted to the Earth Day.