On December 3, 2025 the Ministry of Environment of Armenia held the 23rd Meeting of the National Policy Dialogue on Water, supported by the European Union. Organised as part of EUenv Green Diplomacy Weeks in Armenia, this year's dialogue brought together over 50 representatives from national institutions, the EU Delegation, UN agencies, and international donors.
The discussions focused on reviewing the latest developments in the National Water Strategy, identifying areas requiring international support, and strengthening the connection between water and biodiversity ahead of Armenia hosting the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biodiversity in 2026.
Progress on the National Water Strategy
Participants discussed the ongoing development of Armenia’s National Water Strategy, a process led by the Prime Minister’s Office and supported by the World Bank. The National Water Strategy is being shaped through wide consultations with water users, agencies, and ministries to secure the country’s water resources for sustainable development. Discussions at the NPD highlighted three key areas: 1) Environmental sustainability through better protection of rivers, lakes, and groundwater; 2) Inclusive water services for people and the economy, ensuring fair access and sustainable financing; and 3) Smarter decision-making, supported by strong data, technologies, and participatory management.
As a long-standing platform supported by the EU, UNECE and OECD, the National Policy Dialogue on Water continues to facilitate these exchanges — helping align perspectives across ministries, academia, civil society, and international partners as work on the Strategy progresses.
Lilit Abrahamyan, Head of Water Policy Department of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia, said: “The National Water Policy Dialogue has helped Armenia in strengthening its water governance for nearly 20 years. The dialogue has ensured a synergism between the measures implemented in the water sector with the priorities of the National Water Strategy of Armenia, thus promoting the efficient, transparent and sustainable management of water resources. “
Alignment with EU environment standards
The meeting acknowledged the significant progress achieved through the amendments to the Water Code introduced in 2022 and agreed on the next steps required to further align with the EU Water Framework Directive and other EU directives stemming from CEPA commitments. Participants discussed the need for continued technical and institutional support as part of Armenia’s wider reform agenda. EU partners outlined their ongoing work in support of Armenia’s water sector priorities — including river basin planning, wastewater management, and water monitoring improvements.
Vaclav Sterba, Deputy Head of Cooperation Section, EU Delegation to Armenia, said: “On behalf of the European Union, we are pleased that Armenia is deepening its cooperation with the EU through the EU4Green Recovery East programme, strengthening its environmental objectives for the years ahead. This year’s global droughts have underlined how essential effective water management is — not only for food security, but also for energy resilience and public health. In the EU, water remains a priority, with work underway on a new European Water Resilience Strategy addressing scarcity, pollution, and water-related risks. We welcome Armenia’s efforts to develop its own water strategy, and we are confident that strong synergies will emerge between the two.”
Connecting water and biodiversity for COP17
A dedicated session focused on the link between water management and biodiversity, taking into account Armenia’s role as host of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) of the UN Convention on Biodiversity in 2026. Stakeholders highlighted the importance of healthy water ecosystems for conserving Armenia’s biodiversity and strengthening climate resilience. Armenia and the European Union both agree that sustainable growth and environmental protection go hand in hand. Protecting natural resources is not only an environmental goal, but also a smart economic investment in the country’s future.
Monica Sandri, United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i. in Armenia said: “Water is essential for Armenia’s sustainable future, and the United Nations is supporting improvements in irrigation, pollution reduction, and ecosystem restoration. Hosting the UN Biodiversity COP17 will give Armenia an important opportunity to reinforce the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services. It will also build momentum for scaling up Nature-based Solutions to address water pollution, climate change, and the broader environmental pressures facing the country and the world.”
