Ambassador of Japan and UNDP Resident Representative visited Japan-funded projects in Gegharkunik and Kotayk regions
On 12 May, H.E. Yutaka Aoki, Ambassador of Japan to Armenia, and Natia Natsvlishvili, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia, visited Gegharkunik and Kotayk regions to see on the ground the results of projects implemented with funding from the Government of Japan.
The first visit, within the framework of the UNDP “Project for Supporting Basic Infrastructure and Social Integration for Displaced Persons from Nagorno-Karabakh and Host Communities” was Chambarak community, Gegharkunik region, where a reservoir with a useful capacity of 11,000 m³ was constructed. Janik Bazeyan, Deputy Governor of Gegharkunik region, Nvard Vardanyan, Deputy Chairperson of MTAI Water Committee, Ashot Giloyan, Adviser, RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, and Robert Ohanyan, First Deputy Head of Chambarak community, also took part in the visit.
It is expected that the reservoir will restore irrigation across up to 200 hectares of land and benefit around 200 households. The community also invested in a new 4.4 km irrigation distribution system, further boosting climate‑resilient agriculture.
The guests also learned about hybrid solar energy systems installed in key public facilities in host communities to enhance energy resilience. The 5 kW systems are stationary, while the 2 kW systems are mobile and easy to deploy. Designed to operate both grid-connected and in off-grid modes, these systems ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential services (such as lighting and communications) during power outages. In total, nine systems have been installed in Gegharkunik region (four 2 kW and five 5 kW systems), eight of which serve the Chambarak community: the municipal building (5 kW), Kindergarten No. 3 (5 kW), the medical center (5 kW), the local rescue service unit (5 kW and 2 kW), as well as the summer pastures of Chambarak community (three 2 kW units).
Afterwards, Ambassador Aoki and Natia Natsvlishvili Charentsavan community of Kotayk region. Through the Restorative Circles methodology, refugees and host communities across ten communities were engaged in structured conversations to identify priorities and co-design solutions. More than 1,100 participants, nearly half refugees, highlighted the need for safe, inclusive spaces for interaction, creativity, and community life. These ideas are already a reality in five communities, benefiting around 126,000 people, including 984 vulnerable households.
In Charentsavan community, the high-level guests, accompanied by Hakob Shahgaldyan, Head of Charentsavan community, opened the public space and playground which will strengthen social cohesion and integration processes by bringing people together, contributing to informal social interaction and community ties.
“We are deeply grateful to the Government of Japan for its financial support, which continues to make a tangible difference in the lives of refugees and host communities across Armenia. These results are a powerful example of what effective partnerships can achieve—combining immediate support with long-term, climate‑resilient and socially inclusive solutions. We also highly appreciate the strong cooperation with regional and local authorities, whose leadership and commitment are essential to turning these investments into real improvements on the ground. UNDP remains firmly committed to supporting refugees and host communities by strengthening infrastructure, enhancing energy resilience, and fostering social cohesion,” said Natia Natsvlishvili, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia.
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