YEREVAN, Armenia — On June 18, the Green Agenda Armenia Conference 2025, held at the American University of Armenia (AUA), brought together key government officials, international community representatives, civil society leaders, sustainability experts, and academics. The event unveiled the National Comprehensive Green Transition Assessment Report for Armenia, prepared by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) in collaboration with the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment, as part of the Green Agenda Armenia project. In addition to releasing the Report, the Conference marked the launch of the next phase of the project, which centers around planning for key green transition priorities. The priorities will be agreed upon in consultation with stakeholders and the Republic of Armenia (RA) ministries of Environment, Economy, and Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.
Green Agenda Armenia is part of a broader, ongoing initiative called Green Agenda Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, led by SEI and funded by Sida (the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency). Going forward, the AUA Acopian Center will serve as the national implementing partner for the Green Agenda Armenia project.
The National Comprehensive Green Transition Assessment Report benchmarks Armenia’s progress toward the green economy and European Union (EU) alignment, measuring achievements and roadblocks in climate action, energy, buildings, industry pollution, agriculture, transport, and biodiversity. Experts from the International Union for Conservation of Nature offered critical support on biodiversity-related research and analysis.
“The initiation of the green transition assessment highlights Armenia’s prioritization of climate adaptation, renewable energy expansion, and other key green transition priorities. These efforts are essential for both technological progress and the protection of vulnerable communities against environmental degradation. We are committed to supporting Armenia in this transformative journey, aiming for sustainable growth, environmental health, and a more equitable future for all,” said Klas Waldenström, head of Development Cooperation and deputy head of the Embassy of Sweden in Armenia.
Aram Meymaryan, deputy minister of the RA Ministry of Environment, stated in his opening remarks at the Conference: “The National Comprehensive Green Transition Assessment, developed within the framework of the program, is an invaluable tool for Armenia as we strive toward sustainable, low-carbon, and resilient development. This process aligns with our national commitment to building a green Armenia, where economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social justice are complementary objectives.”
Meymaryan took the opportunity to also remind the audience of a critical global event to be held in Armenia next year. “Before turning to the main findings of the assessment, I would like to note that Armenia will host the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2026, making the theme of today’s conference even more timely,” he noted. “COP17 will serve as a critical milestone in assessing global progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. In this context, the Green Agenda Armenia initiative provides a tangible example of how national efforts can align with global biodiversity goals.”
Each sectoral chapter assesses strategic goals Armenia has set for itself, current status and trends in environmental performance, and major policy roadblocks and enablers, ultimately ranking Armenia’s readiness from little to some progress. The Report also spotlights how finance, research, innovation and development, digitalization, and just transition policies can accelerate sustainable, competitive, and resilient economic growth in Armenia.
“The National Comprehensive Green Transition Assessment Report has identified sectoral priorities that will help Armenia harmonize with its EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement obligations and embrace green transition,” said Ivana Mijatovic, Armenia team lead for the National Transition Assessment Report. “It will also serve in discussions with a wider stakeholder audience to focus on top sectoral priorities that can be translated into actionable strategic plans and roadmaps, in addition to serving as input for the investment project proposals. This work will continue through 2026.”
Alen Gasparian Amirkhanian, director of the AUA Acopian Center, added: “Going forward, the project will support key government stakeholders in planning their ambitions and commitments for a green transition in the priority areas selected. We will focus particularly on areas where there are currently insufficient investments by the national government and international organizations, but which are essential for the green transition agenda. These would be areas like electronic and hazardous waste management, water quality, and soil management, to name a few. We expect to support planning in seven to nine priority sectors.”
The following are some of the key takeaways from the Green Transition Assessment Report:
- Amplifying climate adaptation: Strategically accelerating adaptation measures in key sectors — agriculture, energy, transport, water, and soil management — advances resilience and optimizes national security, aligning with sustainable development goals.
- Energy independence: Addressing the concern of 62% of Armenians regarding energy dependence, strategic investment attraction in renewable energy initiatives — wind and solar power — stands as a pivotal move toward energy sovereignty and a significant reduction in environmental pollutants.
- Sustainable transport: Implementing sustainable mobility solutions, notably electric vehicles and enhanced public transportation systems, serves as a strategic approach to substantially lower urban air pollution and congestion, fostering a substantial improvement in the quality of life within Yerevan.
- Agricultural innovation: Prioritizing innovative and efficient practices in agriculture and food production emerges as a strategic imperative to combat water scarcity, land degradation, and the adversities posed by climate change, while simultaneously elevating nutritional health standards across Armenia.
The full copy of the Report is available here. The Executive Summary is available in Armenian and can be downloaded from this link.
The AUA Acopian Center for the Environment, a research center of the American University of Armenia (AUA), promotes the protection and restoration of the natural environment through research, education, and community outreach. The AUA Acopian Center’s focus areas include sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity protection and conservation, greening the built environment, sustainable energy, as well as information technology and the environment. Visit ace.aua.am
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