The Green Agenda project: Armenia's roadmap towards sustainability
Today, the Stockholm Environment Institute and Sida (the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency), in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Armenia, have officially initiated the Green Agenda project and its National Steering Committee in Yerevan.
The SEI Tallinn Senior Expert Ivo Krustok, the Head of International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Environment Ruzanna Grigoryan, the SEI Senior Project Manager and the Environmental and Policy Team Lead, Bernardas Padegimas and the Deputy Minister of Environment of Armenia, Aram Meymaryan speaking at the launch of the Green Agenda project in Yerevan, Armenia. Photo: Hayk Harutyunyan
Embarking on a transformative journey, Armenia will align with the European Green Deal and the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Extended Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This initiative aims to harmonize national policies with leading European standards, propelling Armenia towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.
The project launch and its first Steering Committee meeting, chaired by the Ministry of Environment brought together a diverse group of key stakeholders, Government officials and members of the international community.
The Deputy Minister of Environment, Aram Meymaryan, addressing the attendees, highlighted the project's significance: "Armenia is on the brink of transformation. Our environmental awareness is expanding, yet we remain confronted by significant challenges, including pollution, waste management, and deforestation. These are the pressing issues we are vigorously striving to address. However, we realize that our approach needs to embrace sustainability. The Green Agenda is a decisive roadmap designed to cultivate a healthier environment for our citizens, administer our natural resources more effectively, and ultimately, lead us towards a more ecologically-friendly Armenia.”
Attendees of the project launch received a message from Patrik Svensson, the Sweden’s Ambassador to Armenia: “The Green Agenda, a key priority for Sweden, aligns with an invaluable opportunity for Armenia, where a greener economy could simultaneously enhance citizens' quality of life, catalyse sustainable growth, and generate new employment opportunities. Amid these challenging times, steering Armenia's economy towards greener practices presents not just a prudent policy decision, but also a strategic vision ensuring equitable and inclusive progression towards a sustainable, zero-emission, and environmentally responsible economy.”
In a message addressed to event attendees, Virginijus Sinkevičius, the Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, at the European Commission, emphasized: “The climate change resistant future is a necessity for which we are laying the background nowadays. By adopting sustainable policies and practices, Armenia aligns its policies with European standards, aiming to enhance the quality of life for its citizens, open up new business opportunities and strengthen trade and economic relations with EU member states."
About the Green Agenda for Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine
The Green Agenda project, implemented in Armenia by partner ADWISE Consulting, is part of a regional initiative to enhance climate policies, environmental governance and renewable energy investment. Focusing on adopting European standards, this project aims to foster a greener economy and stronger environmental governance. Running from 2023 to 2026, its objectives include developing a climate neutrality roadmap, delivering investment-ready projects, raising public awareness about the green economy and enhancing stakeholder capacities for the green transition.
Read more: Green Agenda for Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine
Further information and interview requests
Ilona Kazaryan, Senior Communications and Impact Officer, SEI, +46 722 19 96 43, ilona.kazaryan@sei.org
Ulrika Lamberth, Senior Press Officer, SEI, +46 73 801 70 53, ulrika.lamberth@sei.org
Stockholm Environment Institute is an international non-profit research and policy organization that tackles environment and development challenges. We connect science and decision-making to develop solutions for a sustainable future for all. Across our eight centres in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, we engage with policy processes, development action and business practice throughout the world. www.sei.org @SEIresearch @SEIclimate
