Armenia ratifies agreements with AFD and the EU for €112.4 million for the development of water management and the agricultural sector
18.06.2026,
19:37
At its session on Thursday, the National Assembly of Armenia ratified a framework agreement for €112.4 million for the implementation of the "Integrated Development of the Water and Agricultural Sectors of Armenia" program.
YEREVAN, June 18. /ARKA/. At its session on Thursday, the National Assembly of Armenia ratified a framework agreement for €112.4 million for the implementation of the "Integrated Development of the Water and Agricultural Sectors of Armenia" program.
Deputy Head of the Armenian Water Committee Nvard Vardanyan stated that funding from the French Development Agency (AFD) will amount to up to €100 million under a multi-tranche credit line. Of this amount, €30 million will be allocated for the program in Syunik Province, and another €70 million for the WISE program.
"In addition, an EU grant of €12.4 million will be used for technical re-equipment and capacity development within the framework of the program," Vardanyan noted.
According to her, the significant deterioration of water and irrigation infrastructure, high levels of water loss, and the growing risks associated with climate change pose serious challenges to effective water resource management and sustainable agricultural development.
"This program will allow us to begin a major reform process in a phased manner in the near future, while simultaneously addressing existing challenges at the national and local levels," Vardanyan said.
The program includes two interconnected components. The first is an investment component aimed at developing water infrastructure at the national level. It will be co-financed by the World Bank's Water Supply and Irrigation Services Improvement (WISE) program.
The second component will be implemented at the local level in the Syunik region. Specifically, it includes the phased restoration and modernization of irrigation systems in the communities of Sisian, Goris, and Meghri, the development of gravity irrigation systems, the modernization of pumping stations, and the introduction of water reuse systems.
The French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement, AFD) has been working in Armenia since 2013. The agency is involved in projects in the areas of natural resource management, urban infrastructure, energy transition, and public finance management.
Deputy Head of the Armenian Water Committee Nvard Vardanyan stated that funding from the French Development Agency (AFD) will amount to up to €100 million under a multi-tranche credit line. Of this amount, €30 million will be allocated for the program in Syunik Province, and another €70 million for the WISE program.
"In addition, an EU grant of €12.4 million will be used for technical re-equipment and capacity development within the framework of the program," Vardanyan noted.
According to her, the significant deterioration of water and irrigation infrastructure, high levels of water loss, and the growing risks associated with climate change pose serious challenges to effective water resource management and sustainable agricultural development.
"This program will allow us to begin a major reform process in a phased manner in the near future, while simultaneously addressing existing challenges at the national and local levels," Vardanyan said.
The program includes two interconnected components. The first is an investment component aimed at developing water infrastructure at the national level. It will be co-financed by the World Bank's Water Supply and Irrigation Services Improvement (WISE) program.
The second component will be implemented at the local level in the Syunik region. Specifically, it includes the phased restoration and modernization of irrigation systems in the communities of Sisian, Goris, and Meghri, the development of gravity irrigation systems, the modernization of pumping stations, and the introduction of water reuse systems.
The French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement, AFD) has been working in Armenia since 2013. The agency is involved in projects in the areas of natural resource management, urban infrastructure, energy transition, and public finance management.
