.JPG)
Yerevan, Armenia | 11 May 2026
As part of the EU-funded regional programme “EU4Green Recovery East”, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), hosted an awareness raising event as part of Green Agenda Armenia Conference 2026 in the American University of Armenia on 11 May. The main aim was to raise stakeholder awareness and interest in Armenia to ensure active participation in the industrial waste mapping (IWM), early engagement of national administration and alignment of the study and selected regions with the national policy priorities.
The awareness raising event brought together more than 50 representatives from government institutions, regional administrations and municipality, NGOs and research organizations, private sector and international organizations, and thematic initiatives. The session provided an opportunity to present the objectives, methodology, expected results, and overall implementation process of the IWM initiative, while also outlining the next implementation steps and potential areas of stakeholder engagement throughout the exercise.
Building Partnerships for Implementation
Opening remarks were delivered by Harutyun Khachatryan, Chief Specialist of the Agriculture and Environmental Protection Department of the Kotayk Regional Governor’s Office Staff, and Armen Shekhoyan, Head of the Waste Sorting Division of Yerevan Municipality.
Harutyun Khachatryan noted: “As one of the selected pilot regions, Kotayk views this process as a vital step towards strengthening sustainable regional development and industrial waste mapping can provide communities and regional stakeholders with valuable insights for improving planning processes and identifying opportunities for the circular use of resources.”
Additionally, Armen Shekhoyan highlighted that “Yerevan recognizes the importance of strengthening sustainable resource management systems and advancing practical circular economy solutions and noted that the initiative supports communities in understanding industrial waste flows for long-term environmental planning.”
Presentations delivered during the session focused on the practical implementation of circular economy approaches, industrial waste mapping methodologies, stakeholder engagement, and international best practices in waste management and circular economy transition.
Tatiana Chernyavskaya, Project Manager at UNIDO, presented the broader objectives of the EU4Green Recovery East programme and highlighted the role of circular economy approaches in supporting sustainable industrial transformation.
Jerzy Sarnacki, Circular Economy Expert at PMCG/UNIDO, presented key European Union policy frameworks and legislative approaches related to circular economy implementation, including recycling targets, reporting systems, and monitoring mechanisms. Irina Mkrtchyan, Waste and Circular Economy Expert at PMCG/UNIDO, presented key challenges and opportunities related to industrial waste management in Armenia, including institutional coordination issues and the economic potential of waste recovery and recycling activities.
The session also reinforced coordination and cooperation among national stakeholders, helping to build a stronger foundation for the implementation of upcoming programme activities, including stakeholder consultations, regional assessments, industrial waste mapping activities in selected pilot regions, and further dialogue on circular economy implementation and policy development in Armenia.
📍 Armenia advances #CircularEconomy through #IndustrialWasteMapping
On 11 May in Yerevan, a parallel session dedicated to Industrial Waste Mapping and Circular Economy in Armenia was held at the Green Agenda Armenia Conference 2026, bringing together national stakeholders and experts to explore practical approaches to industrial waste management and circular economy implementation in Armenia.
As part of the EU-funded regional EU4Green Recovery East programme, implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the session highlighted the role of Industrial Waste Mapping (IWM) in supporting evidence-based policymaking, improving resource efficiency, and identifying circular solutions tailored to Armenia’s economic and institutional context.
Discussions focused on the definition and identification of industrial waste streams, regulatory and policy frameworks for IWM, as well as EU legislation, circular economy instruments, and international best practices in waste management.
♻️ The session contributed to raising awareness and strengthening stakeholder engagement around practical circular economy solutions, supporting Armenia’s transition towards a greener, more resource-efficient, and resilient economy.
#EU4GreenRecoveryEast #CircularEconomy #GreenAgendaArmenia #UNIDO
