Category: News

Secretary of the Security Council Alen Simonyan held a meeting with Cypriot Ambassador to Armenia Michael Mavros on Monday.

The Security Council Office said in a press release that the meeting addressed the development of bilateral relations between Armenia and Cyprus, as well as economic cooperation.

Secretary Simonyan and Ambassador Mavros also exchanged views on regional developments.

Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council Alen Simonyan received a delegation led by Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood at the European Commission, on 26 October.

According to the Security Council’s Office, the two sides stressed the importance of the continued development of Armenia–European Union relations, paying particular attention to Armenia’s economic diversification and strengthening its resilience.

They also discussed progress on democratic reforms and other regional issues of interest.

Azerbaijani citizen Yashar Ali oglu Kasimov, who was found in Armenia after getting lost, has been returned to Azerbaijan and handed over to the country’s competent authorities, the Armenian National Security Service (NSS) has said.

“Yashar Ali oglu Kasimov, a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who had earlier crossed into and was found on the territory of the Republic of Armenia (Tavush Province) after getting lost, was returned to the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 24 of this year and handed over to the competent authorities of Azerbaijan,” the statement released by the NSS of Armenia said.

The NSS earlier said that on October 19, 2026, at around 17:50, Azerbaijani citizen Yashar Ali oglu Kasimov, born in 1968 and a resident of Chatakh village in the Tovuz district, was found in Armenia’s Tavush Province. Verification measures established that he had entered Armenian territory after getting lost. The NSS said it was taking measures to ensure the repatriation of the Azerbaijani national.

The Ministry of Labor and Welfare of Armenia plans to make changes to its employment programs to make them more effective and targeted.

Three existing programs aimed at forcibly displaced persons from Karabakh, participants in military operations, persons discharged from military service, and individuals enrolled in the social assistance system are to be combined into a single package.

The programs are based on education and employment components. The three programs are now being merged into one package and improved.

“It was difficult for our citizens to study all the programs, understand which ones they could qualify for, how to apply for each one, what documents to provide, and so on. A decision was made to combine the programs to simplify and encourage the application process and give a greater role to the educational component. In addition, digitalization work has been carried out, and from now on, all our employment programs will be implemented exclusively through the e-work.am platform. This means that applications, documentation, and other processes will be digitized,” Liana Tovmasyan, Deputy Head of the Unified Social Service, said at a press conference.

The new unified program provides support in three areas. First, beneficiaries will be provided with an electronic education voucher worth up to 250,000 drams.

Ruzanna Pepanyan, Head of the Employment Programs Department at the Ministry of Labor and Welfare of Armenia, said that beneficiaries can use this amount to receive training or education only at centers implementing non-formal education programs accredited by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. After receiving the voucher, beneficiaries must use it within six months.

“Individuals who have completed educational programs and received graduation certificates will then receive assistance with employment. This is the next stage provided for by the program, under which employers who hire these individuals will receive compensation for the beneficiaries’ income tax. During the first three months, compensation for income tax calculated on the individual’s salary is provided for up to 25,000 drams. If the employment relationship continues in the following months, the compensation will be up to 50,000 drams,” Ruzanna Pepanyan said.

The program also provides financial assistance to beneficiaries. A one-time payment of 100,000 drams will be provided during the first three months of employment. If the employment relationship continues for 12 months, a one-time payment of 200,000 drams will be provided. This is not related to the employer’s remuneration.

The program will launch on January 1, 2027. Preliminary estimates indicate that it will cover 1,500 beneficiaries. If demand is higher, the ministry is ready to discuss it.

Armenia’s economic activity index in January-September exceeded the figure for the same period last year by 6.9%, according to official data published by the Statistical Committee.

In September, the index was 9.1% higher than in August and 5% higher than in September 2025.

The construction sector continues to lead in growth rates. Its output in the first nine months of this year was 24.9% higher than in the same period last year, reaching 583 billion 818.1 million drams.

In September, construction volumes increased by 8.5% compared with August, reaching 112 billion 172.2 million drams. The increase compared with September last year was 25.9%.

Services (excluding trade) ranked second in terms of growth. In January-September, the sector’s output exceeded the figure for the same period last year by 13%, reaching 3 trillion 455 billion 582 million drams. In September, it increased by 1.3% compared with August and by 15.1% compared with September last year. The volume of services in September was estimated at 426 billion 67.1 million drams.

Industrial output in the first nine months of this year exceeded the figure for the same months last year by 5.8%, reaching 2 trillion 361 billion 636.6 million drams. In September, industrial output increased by 4.2% compared with August but was 4.5% lower than in September last year. Industrial output in September amounted to 291 billion 157.2 million drams.

Trade turnover in January-September exceeded the figure for the same period last year by 0.6%, reaching 5 trillion 2 billion 708.1 million drams. In September, it decreased by 1.4% compared with August and remained unchanged compared with September last year. Trade turnover in September amounted to 612 billion 674.2 million drams.

Gross agricultural output in January-September was 4.8% lower than in the same period last year, amounting to an estimated 677 billion 145.8 million drams.

The consumer price index in January-September was 4.5% higher than in the same months last year. In September, it increased by 0.2% compared with August and by 4.3% compared with September last year.

The industrial product price index in the first nine months of this year was 8.8% higher than in the same months last year. In September, it increased by 0.5% compared with August and by 8.6% compared with September 2025.

Armenia generated 6 billion 958 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in January-September this year, 3.6% more than in the same period last year. In September, electricity generation decreased by 15.9% compared with August and by 9.8% compared with September last year. Electricity generation in September amounted to 689.5 million kilowatt-hours.

Electricity generated by autonomous producers as part of electricity exchanges is not included in this indicator. To ensure comparability, this electricity is also excluded when calculating growth rates for the corresponding indicators in previous periods (September: 764.5 million kilowatt-hours).

Armenia’s foreign trade turnover in January-September 2026 increased by 2.7% compared with the same period last year, reaching $14 billion 953.4 million, according to official data published by the Statistical Committee.

In September, foreign trade turnover decreased by 2.8% compared with August and by 3% compared with September of the previous year.

Trade turnover in September amounted to $1 billion 644.1 million.

Exports in the first nine months of the year were 8% lower than in the same period last year, totaling $5 billion 163.1 million. In September, export volume decreased by 4.9% compared with August and by 18.6% compared with September 2025. Armenia’s exports in September were valued at $543 million.

Imports in January-September exceeded the figure for the same period in 2025 by 9.5%, totaling $9 billion 790.3 million. In September, imports decreased by 1.7% compared with August but increased by 7.2% compared with September of the previous year. Import volume in September amounted to $1 billion 101.1 million.

The average exchange rate of the Armenian dram against the US dollar was 371.32 drams in January-September and 363.59 drams in September.

Eduard Hakobyan, Chairman of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee (SRC), held a meeting with Shawna Wilson, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Security Assistance Programs.

According to a statement issued by the SRC, Hakobyan highly praised the longstanding partnership with the United States, particularly the cooperation established under the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program, which has made a significant contribution to the development of Armenia’s customs service, the strengthening of border security, and the enhancement of institutional capacity.

Wilson, in turn, highlighted the results of bilateral cooperation, noting that it contributes to the development of technology and infrastructure, as well as human resource capacity.

During the meeting, the parties discussed ongoing joint projects and their progress, including the implementation of the CertScan system, the risk management system, the provision of modern customs equipment to border crossing points, and cooperation projects under new regional initiatives.

As part of the visit, a practical demonstration of the Centralized Monitoring Center was held to showcase its operations and technological capabilities. The event was attended by representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, the EXBS Program, S2 Global, the SRC, and other state agencies.

Emphasizing the longstanding cooperation between Armenia and the United States, Hakobyan said:

“The establishment of the Center is the result of approximately two and a half years of joint work with the U.S. EXBS Program and S2 Global, technical consultations, and coordinated efforts. These efforts have been driven by the shared goal of strengthening threat detection capabilities, combating smuggling, and improving the effectiveness of border inspections through centralized image analysis and advanced technological solutions. Today, we are pleased to see this shared vision translated into a tangible achievement: the Centralized Monitoring Center, equipped with modern technological infrastructure and staffed by specially trained customs officers.”

Congratulating Armenia on having a state-of-the-art center, Wilson emphasized that over the past year, Armenia and the United States had significantly deepened their commitment to ensuring lasting peace, prosperity, and security.

“The $3.5 million U.S. investment in the CertScan system to strengthen Armenia’s border security is one of the key outcomes of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Armenia and the United States, enabling words to be translated into practical action. It directly contributes to achieving the objectives of the TRIPP initiative by providing real-time information, enabling informed decision-making, and strengthening citizens’ security and confidence. I look forward to the continued development of our partnership and further joint work,” she said.

Randy Barnby, a representative of S2 Global, discussed the operational capabilities of the CertScan system, emphasizing that it is already being used at several border crossing points in Armenia, enabling unified data analysis, transparency, and traceability of operations.

“The CertScan system has been deployed in 21 countries, but the work of the Armenian team is truly impressive. Our partners strive not only to master the software but also to gain an in-depth understanding of all the system’s components and technical principles. This dedication and professional approach are essential for the effective use of the system and the improvement of Armenia’s customs operations,” he said.

The Centralized Monitoring Center was launched in May 2026. It enables the centralized monitoring from Yerevan of X-ray equipment installed at various border crossing points and the two-tier analysis of the resulting images, ensuring the traceability and efficiency of customs control processes.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Tom Berendsen, will visit Armenia on October 27, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has said.

Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan will meet with his Dutch counterpart in Yerevan on the same day, followed by a joint press conference.

Freshwater ecosystems are vital for biodiversity conservation, ensuring human well-being, and strengthening the resilience of societies, Robert Abisoghomonyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Armenia, said during a discussion titled “Strengthening Freshwater Biodiversity through Science-Based Solutions” held at Armenia’s pavilion on the sidelines of COP17.

He said that freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened ecosystems in the world, facing growing pressures from climate change, pollution, and the inefficient use of water resources.

According to him, addressing these challenges requires stronger political commitment, coordinated international action, and reliable scientific data to guide decision-making and ensure the effectiveness of nature conservation and restoration measures.

“Our shared goal at COP17 is to accelerate the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and turn international commitments into practical measures,” Abisoghomonyan said.

He recalled the outcome document of the “Leaders for Nature” Summit, the Yerevan Declaration, presented days ago by Armenia’s COP17 Presidency, which, among other issues, reaffirms the importance of strengthening joint action for biodiversity conservation.

According to Abisoghomonyan, the priority now is to turn these political commitments into measurable results, and advanced monitoring technologies play an important role in this context.

“For Armenia, these issues have practical significance. Lake Sevan, one of the world’s largest high-altitude freshwater lakes, is a unique natural ecosystem, an invaluable part of our national heritage, and a vital resource for Armenia’s sustainable development,” he said, adding that Armenia’s ongoing efforts to protect and restore Lake Sevan demonstrate the complexity of managing freshwater ecosystems and the importance of combining scientific research, effective monitoring, and evidence-based policymaking.

He emphasized the importance of international scientific cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and experience in addressing the common challenges faced by countries in different regions.

The event discussed science-based approaches to the conservation and sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems. Innovative isotope hydrology methods were presented, which make it possible to identify sources of water pollution, assess hydrological changes, and support ecosystem restoration.

An initiative of Armenia’s COP17 presidency aimed at reforming subsidies harmful to biodiversity and expanding incentives that support nature conservation was launched on October 26 during COP17 in Yerevan.

The event, titled “The Yerevan Call on Incentives Positive to Biodiversity: Launch of the Friends of Target 18 and the Yerevan Biodiversity Finance Challenge,” featured speeches by COP17 President and Armenian Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity Astrid Schomaker, and Global Environment Facility (GEF) CEO and Chairman Diego Mesa Puyo.

Matevosyan said that, following the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, it was necessary to turn shared commitments into practical and accelerated action. He noted that reforming incentives was a complex and sensitive process because they are linked to countries’ economic and social priorities and can affect individual sectors and communities in different ways.

“As I have said before, biodiversity issues must move beyond the remit of environment ministries. This initiative is designed to ensure cooperation among the ministries responsible for finance, agriculture, economy and development,” Matevosyan emphasized.

He presented the voluntary Friends of Target 18 platform, which is intended to sustain political commitment, facilitate the exchange of national experience, promote practical solutions and continue cooperation beyond COP17. Matevosyan invited countries to support the Yerevan Call on Incentives Positive to Biodiversity and consider joining the platform.

The initiative has three interconnected components: the Yerevan Call on Incentives Positive to Biodiversity, the Friends of Target 18 cooperation platform, and the Yerevan Biodiversity Finance Challenge.

The latter is designed to translate political commitments into practical action at the national level by supporting the assessment and reform of incentives, biodiversity finance planning, and the integration of biodiversity considerations into budgetary processes.

Schomaker, in turn, drew attention to the effectiveness of government support, noting that some subsidies undermine the very natural foundations of the economic sectors they are intended to support.

“Governments, of course, want to support economic sectors. Often, they have to support these sectors because people’s livelihoods depend on them. The discussion is not about whether we should have subsidies or not; it is about what results these subsidies produce,” Schomaker said.

She stressed that environment ministries cannot implement the necessary changes on their own, as the relevant decisions are often made by ministries of finance, economy, agriculture or energy. She also emphasized the need for the financial sector to be involved.

Mesa Puyo highlighted the fiscal importance of reforming harmful incentives, noting that it offers an opportunity to advance environmental action while expanding governments’ fiscal capacity.

“Reforming subsidies or harmful incentives is a way to advance environmental action while also expanding fiscal space, which is one of the most difficult challenges today. Governments around the world are being asked to achieve more with fewer resources. One clear way to do this is to reform incentives that harm biodiversity, as well as the climate and the environment more broadly,” he said.

Target 18 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework calls for identifying and eliminating, phasing out or reforming incentives, including subsidies, that are harmful to biodiversity. It also calls for substantially and progressively reducing such incentives by at least $500 billion per year by 2030, starting with the most harmful, and scaling up positive incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.