Strengthening connectivity, resilience and sustainable development in Armenia’

Strengthening connectivity, resilience and sustainable development in Armenia’s south

On 29-30 October, UN Assistant Secretary General, UNDP Assistant Administrator, Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (RBEC) Ivana Živković, accompanied by UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Natia Natsvlishvili, visited selected initiatives supported by UNDP and its partners in Syunik region, to observe on the ground how partnerships are translating development priorities into practical solutions at the local level.

In the Meghri Border Crossing Point, the UNDP Assistant Administrator, accompanied by Syunik Governor Robert Ghukasyan, observed progress in the modernization of one of Armenia’s most strategic gateways for regional trade and transport. The European Union (EU) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) funded project is transforming border infrastructure through the construction of modern administrative facilities, cargo inspection systems, border control infrastructure and upgraded engineering networks. The modernization of Meghri BCP will help improve cross-border mobility, enhance cargo and passenger processing, strengthen Armenia’s connectivity with regional markets, and create new opportunities for economic growth and resilience in Syunik.

During her visit to Goris, Ms. Ivana Živković, together with head of Goris community Arush Arushanyan, reviewed progress on an innovative social housing initiative. UNDP is implementing the project in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Welfare of Armenia and Goris Municipality under the EU-funded “Building a Resilient Social Protection System in Armenia” project, jointly implemented with UNICEF and the WFP. The pilot combines comprehensive improvements to a residential building housing approximately 75 residents with the construction of 8 new social housing apartments on its rooftop. The initiative expands access to social housing while enhancing the building’s seismic safety and energy efficiency. The visit highlighted how the EU and UNDP are joining efforts to strengthen Armenia’s social protection system by bringing together institutional reform, digital innovation and municipal initiatives to deliver practical, people-centered solutions. 

In Goris, UNDP Assistant Administrator also visited kindergarten No. 2, where a hybrid solar energy system is installed through the EU-funded EU4Dialogue programme to ensure uninterrupted access to essential public services. The solar photovoltaic system, battery storage and hybrid inverter reduce energy costs while providing backup power during outages, contributing to a safer and more resilient learning environment for children and staff. UNDP-implemented EU4Dialogue initiative is supporting conflict-affected and border communities through renewable energy, improved infrastructure, livelihoods and social cohesion, helping communities build resilience and invest in a more sustainable future.

The final stop of Ms. Ivana Živković was Areni Municipality, where she explored how the EU-funded Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG) initiative has helped communities move beyond individual interventions toward a new way of addressing complex local development challenges. Between 2021 and 2025, Areni worked with UNDP to build the skills, tools and ownership needed to understand local challenges, engage communities, test solutions, learn from experience and adapt along the way. This journey led to a shared vision of creating a Sustainable Tourism Space that connects the municipality’s wine, cultural, culinary, natural and historical assets across all nine settlements.