On 25 August, the National Assembly of Armenia adopted the Government of the Republic of Armenia’s 2026–2031 Programme.
Two of the expected key outcomes outlined in the Government’s 2026–2031 Programme relate to reforms in the water and energy sectors.
In particular, the Government Programme provides for:
- launching the construction of 10 reservoirs, with a target completion date of 2033; constructing and reconstructing 350 km of canals and pipelines; providing irrigation to 10,000 hectares of new agricultural land; and ensuring 24-hour water supply in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Vanadzor;
- commissioning 1,000 MW of photovoltaic power generation capacity and 800 MW of battery energy storage capacity.
Environment: Key Provisions of the Programme
The Government identifies the effective management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation, and the reduction of negative environmental impacts as the main objectives of its environmental policy, with the aim of ensuring a healthy and safe environment.
“Starting in October 2026, the Republic of Armenia will assume the Presidency of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, becoming, for approximately two years, a country playing a central role in global environmental decision-making and undertaking a commitment to properly fulfil this role,” the official document states.
The Programme identifies the following 11 areas of action related to the environment:
- Full harmonisation of environmental legislation with EU directives, as undertaken under the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), will be ensured in the areas of ambient air, water quality, biodiversity, environmental impact assessment, industrial emissions, climate change, chemicals, and waste management.
- Climate policy will be further improved by introducing economic mechanisms that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including a carbon pricing system.
- A nationwide ambient air quality monitoring system compliant with international standards will be established, comprising 16 modern monitoring stations and a reference laboratory.
- The environmental radiation monitoring network operating on a 24/7 basis will be expanded.
- Comprehensive management and conservation of water resources will be ensured by promoting water efficiency, protecting river ecosystems, and restricting water abstraction from the Ararat Artesian Basin to the legally established annual maximum sustainable yield of 926 million cubic metres.
- An ecosystem-based management model for Lake Sevan and its catchment basin will be introduced. This will include restoring river ecosystems and biodiversity, ensuring at least the “good” water quality status prescribed by a Government decision, and reducing pollution levels. In addition, cleaning of forest plantations inundated by Lake Sevan, covering at least 100 hectares, will be carried out based on areas identified as priorities. Alongside these efforts, measures will be undertaken to address waste collection in the coastal areas of Lake Sevan and to return areas within Sevan National Park that have been illegally leased and/or occupied.
- Approximately 10,000 hectares of afforestation and reforestation will be carried out.
- The Ecopatrol Service will ensure 24/7 protection of forests and specially protected natural areas throughout the country, including wildlife protection against poaching, through the use of modern surveillance technologies.
- The environmental management information system and environmental permitting services will be digitised, including the environmental impact assessment and environmental expertise processes, transitioning to risk-based, data-driven, and integrated digital management.
- The provisions of the Law on Responsible Treatment of Animals will continue to be enforced, including, among other measures, the construction of shelters and related infrastructure for stray domestic animals.
- The environmental education system aimed at fostering responsible public behaviour towards environmental protection will be strengthened through both formal and non-formal education.
To be continued
August 27, 2026 at 16:30