The consultation meeting on the Programme of Measures for the Northern River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) was held in Dzoraget on 23 July 2024. This gathering aimed to engage various stakeholders in developing a sustainable water resources management plan for the Northern River Basin. 

The meeting was attended by 35 participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures, Statistical Committee of Armenia, as well as Lori and Tavush regional authorities, water users' associations, local communities, and donors. The public consultation meeting was co-chaired by Lilit Abrahamyan, Head of the Department of Water Policy of the Ministry of Environment, and Gayane Hovspeyan, Head of the Department of Water Resources of the Ministry of Environment. 

During the morning session, the Armenian experts responsible for the development of the RBMP highlighted the main issues and presented the proposed measures to address the issues. Participants engaged actively, posing questions to the expert team and the ministry representatives. The afternoon session featured group discussions aimed at prioritizing measures and planning the next steps for the RBMP implementation. 

Attendees appreciated the meeting's role in strengthening cooperation between central and local authorities. questions were raised about the need for more comprehensive data to better understand the river basin's health, including information on domestic, industrial, agricultural and mining pollution or on water abstraction. 

Key measures discussed included the rehabilitation and construction of new wastewater treatment plants, the rehabilitation of abandoned mines (tailings), the improvement of waste management to prevent pollution from landfills, the enhancement of water monitoring capacities, and the construction of reservoirs. 

RBMP development is a collaborative process that enables stakeholders to develop a shared vision for managing and protecting their water resources for future generations. In Armenia, this process is also mandated by the Water Code. Alignment with the EU Water Framework Directive and other EU water-related directives is part of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between Armenia and the European Union in 2017, which entered into force in May 2021. The Armenian government aims to adopt RBMPs for all six river basins districts by the end of 2024 and ensure their harmonised implementation from 2025. 

In an important step to protect water resources from nitrate pollution, the Ministy of Environment of the Republic of Armenia has adopted a new decree on 18 June 2024. This decree is based on the requirements of the updated Water Code of Armenia, and aims to establish criteria for defining nitrate-vulnerable zones and the measures to be taken to reduce nitrate pollution.  

Establishing criteria for identifying nitrate vulnerable zones  

The decree focuses on water bodies (rivers, groundwater) used for drinking water, as well as lakes, reservoirs and rivers showing signs of eutrophication. The identification process is based on statistical analysis of observation data collected over several years, which ensures reliability. These nitrate vulnerable zones are to be re-evaluated every six years as part of the river basin management plans.  

Measures to reduce nitrate pollution  

To reduce nitrate pollution from agricultural activities, the decree introduces restrictions on the use of nitrogen fertilisers and the storage of livestock manure, taking into account the type of soil and slope, climatic conditions, rainfall, irrigation and agricultural practices. The measures aim at achieving a balance between the nitrogen demand of crops and the amount of nitrogen transferred to soil and water resources resulting in their pollution. The measures, adapted to the specificities of each river basin, will be decided in the framework of the development of the River Basin Management Plans.  

The decree was drafted by an Armenian consultant hired and supervised by UNECE under the EU4Environment Water Resources and Environmental Data Programme. This decree is an important step towards protecting Armenia's water resources and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. 

Full decree and its annex (in Armenian):   https://www.arlis.am/DocumentView.aspx?docid=194277 

Vanadzor, Armenia – April 22, 2024

On the occasion of the World Earth Day, on 22 April 2024, 60 schoolchildren from Vanadzor school, in the Lori region of Armenia, had the opportunity to participate in activities aimed at familiarising them with how to find and understand environmental data, covering water, air and waste. The NGO "Environment and Health" and the Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia joined forces to organise several activities, with the support of the EU4Environment Water Resources and Environmental Data programme.

Student Research Presentations

Three students presented their research on the quality of drinking water, soil, and air in the city of Vanadzor. They highlighted the challenges encountered during data collection, noting that their main sources were books and media publications. Mrs. Naira Mandalyan, a leading specialist from the Statistical Committee, then explained the official sources of environmental data in Armenia and demonstrated how students could access environmental statistics through the Statistical Yearbook for children.

Earth Conservation Painting Contest

Parallel to the seminar, a painting contest on the theme of Earth conservation was launched in early April. The students' artworks were displayed, and the winners were awarded during the closing ceremony. Prizes included educational games and the book "Environmental Fairy Tales," which was donated to the school's library.

Online Engagement and Visibility

The celebration was also a great success on social media. Posts on Facebook and Instagram generated significant interaction, with hundreds of views and reactions, highlighting the community's engagement with environmental issues.

For more information, you can visit the following links:

• Facebook Post 1
• Facebook Post 2
• Instagram Post 1
• Instagram Post 2

Picture: Environment and Health NGO

On 26 October 2023, Armenia conducted its 21^ST meeting of the National Policy Dialogue on Water. This regular cross-sectoral dialogue is part of the country’s long-standing efforts to reform water policies and practices along with national goals and international commitments. This dialogue engages a broad representation of national and local government, academia and non-governmental stakeholders, as well as the international community.  

Chaired by the Ministry of Environment and organised within the “European Union for Environment” Programme framework, the meeting focused on water resilience in the context of increasing pressures, including climate change. The participants discussed the progress made since the updated Water Code came into effect, including in conjunction with ongoing water projects, and defined emerging challenges and priorities. Also, lessons learnt from the joint monitoring of surface and groundwater resources with Georgia in the Khrami-Debed basin and the next steps were identified.

Lilit Abrhamyan, Head of the Water Policy Department of the Ministry of Environment, said: “The National Water Policy Dialogue, which has taken place in Armenia since 2006, is an important platform to discuss the priority issues in the water sector, ensure synergies and coordinate inter-sectoral policies. Currently, the reforms in the water sector are at a crucial and decisive stage, given that by 2026, Armenia must fulfil several principal obligations undertaken according to the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership agreement with the European Union. In this regard, National Water Policy Dialogues will continue to play a crucial role in Armenia in the coming years.”

Mr Frank Hess, Head of the Cooperation Section of the EU Delegation to Armenia, stated: “We are strongly committed to enhance EU-Armenia relations. Working for the benefit of people and the environment is our shared goal. We are happy to see that, with EU support, river basin management planning, water monitoring and economics, data management, and transboundary cooperation have all advanced. As we face a growing climate crisis, water resilience becomes ever more important for our societies and our economies. It cannot be achieved without meaningful stakeholder dialogue.”

The meeting was attended by the members of Armenia’s Steering Committee for the National Policy Dialogue on Water. The cross-sectoral Committee consists of 35 members from the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Economy, Public Services Regulatory Commission, Regional Administrations and Universities, Institutes and NGOs. Representatives of the EU Delegation to Armenia and international projects and partners working in the Armenian water sector are also invited to attend the Committee’s meetings.

Speaking on behalf of the EU4Environment implementing partners, Mr Alexander Zinke, Environment Agency Austria, highlighted the Government’s commitment and action: “With support from the European Union and other international partners, Armenia has made significant policy reforms to tackle its water management challenges and strengthened transboundary water cooperation with Georgia. While further advancements are needed, we believe Armenia will meet its environmental goals.”

Background information

Driven by overdemand, mismanagement and the impacts of the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, water stress is increasing worldwide. At the same time, water is essential for the resilience of both societies and the environment.

In Armenia, water is a truly cross-sectoral issue touching all areas of the economy and the lives of citizens. Effectively handling water resources in a sustainable manner is thus crucial for the country's socio-economic progress. The revisions to the Water Code, which were adopted in July 2022, have set a strong foundation for continuing the water sector reforms.

Armenia has committed to reform water policies and practices as part of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the European Union. This includes alignment with the EU water law, in particular, the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

For over a decade, the European Union has provided comprehensive support for reforming the water sector in Armenia. Both investment and technical support projects are ongoing.