New report on Armenia’s green transition launches at the Green Agenda Armenia Conference 2025

The Green Agenda Armenia Conference 2025 opens today in Yerevan at the American University of Armenia (AUA), bringing together key government officials, international community representatives, civil society leaders, and sustainability experts and academics. The event unveils the National Comprehensive Green Transition Assessment Report for Armenia, providing strategic insights essential for enhancing climate action, biodiversity protection, pollution management, and other key green economy transition priorities.

The conference, organized by the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment, is part of a broader initiative led by SEI and funded by Sida (the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency), in close collaboration with Armenia’s Ministry of Environment. The project supports Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine in achieving the ambitious goals of the European Green Deal (EGD). These efforts also align with Armenia’s commitment to EU approximation and trade development, centred around the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

"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 is aligned with our national commitment to building a green Armenia - where economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social justice are complementary objectives. 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. COP17 will serve as a critical milestone in assessing global progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). In this context, the “Green Agenda Armenia” initiative provides a tangible example of how national efforts can align with global biodiversity goals."

Aram Meymaryan, Deputy Minister of Environment, Ministry of Environment of Armenia

A National Assessment for a sustainable future 

The newly released National Comprehensive Green Transition Assessment Report, prepared in collaboration between SEI and the AUA Acopian Center, benchmarks Armenia’s progress towards the green economy and EU alignment, measuring achievements and roadblocks in climate action, energy, buildings, industry pollution, agriculture, transportand biodiversity. Experts from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) offered critical support on research and analysis related to biodiversity.

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.

"By engaging more in nationwide but also global discussions and focusing on green transition domestically, Armenia's hosting of the Biodiversity COP gains added significance. Going forward, the project will offer support to key government stakeholders in planning their ambitions and commitments for a green transition. We will focus particularly on areas where there are currently insufficient investments by the national government, international organizations, or the private sector. These would be areas like electronic and hazardous waste management, water quality and soil management, and more. We expect support planning in seven to eight priority sectors."

Alen Gasparian Amirkhanian, Director of the American University of Armenia's (AUA) Acopian Center for the Environment

Advancing green initiatives: transformative strategies and stakeholder empowerment

The conference will spotlight transformative findings and strategies in pivotal areas like Energy Transition, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Sustainable Transport, and Ecosystem Conservation. Additionally, it will enable consultative discussions to initiate the next project phase, focusing on equipping key Armenian stakeholders with comprehensive sector-centric roadmaps and action plans that will identify investment projects, capacity building activities, and specific areas of technical assistance. The AUA Acopian Center for the Environment will be SEI’s implementing partner in Armenia to advance the planning and investment development work of the project.

"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're committed to support Armenia in this transformative journey, aiming for sustainable growth, environmental health, and a more equitable future for all."

Klas Waldenström, Head of Development Cooperation and Deputy Head of the Embassy of Sweden in Armenia

Key green transition report takeaways

• 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 towards 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 National Comprehensive Green Transition Assessment Report has identified sectoral priorities that will help Armenia harmonize with its CEPA obligations and embrace green transition. 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, roadmaps, and serve as input into the investment project proposals. This work will continue through 2026."

Ivana Mijatovic, National Transition Assessment Report, Team Lead