Welcome to the United Nations
OVERVIEW
Since the inception of Agenda 2030, Armenia has been steadfast in implementing the SDGs through incorporating them into the national reform agenda. Currently, the Government is implementing the “Armenia Transformation Strategy 2050”, the outlined 16 megagoals of which mainly correspond to the SDGs.
As a land-locked developing and middle-income country, Armenia has been facing many challenges in effective implementation of SDGs. The continuing attempts to undermine peace and stability in our region, ensuing humanitarian crisis, and the land blockade by two neighboring countries have made those strides even more complicated.
Although these factors retain their full impact till this day, Armenia continued its transformative reforms towards strong economic development, democratic institutions, building just, peaceful, inclusive society, and achieving lasting peace in the region.
THE CONTEXT OF 3RD VNR
As Armenia was finalizing its 2nd VNR in 2020, the country was already struggling with the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic, that considerably weakened the progress of SDG implementation worldwide.
Moreover, regardless of UN Secretary-General’s call for global ceasefire, Armenia had to face the large-scale aggression of Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020, which claimed thousands of lives and resulted in forcible displacement of 92.265 people from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.
Further aggressions by Azerbaijan and occupation of the sovereign territory of Armenia in 2021-2022, resulting in internal displacement, infringement upon the fundamental human rights of border communities, added to the already complex humanitarian situation in the country.
The large-scale offensive by Azerbaijan on 19 September 2023, preceded by a 10-month-long inhumane blockade, resulted in ethnic cleansing of the entire indigenous population of Nagorno-Karabakh prompting the forcible displacement of more than 115.000 refugees, thus creating the worst refugee crisis in Armenia since its independence. The Government’s efforts and solidarity of the Armenian society were instrumental in responding to the life-saving needs of the refugees.
SDG PROGRESS
Regardless of the past and emerging challenges, the democratic resilience of Armenia allowed to deliver progress and build back better in extremely fragile environment.
During the last four years, Armenia’s economy registered up to double-digit GDP (12.6% in 2022), lifting tens of thousands above the poverty line. Owing to the strong macroeconomic policies, active inflation targeting, fiscal responsibility and effective oversight, the financial system maintained stability, despite the challenges of the last four years.
Transition to a greener and more sustainable energy sector is among the priorities of Armenia.The investments in renewable energy system, aimed at increasing the share of solar energy production to at least 15% or 1.8 billion kWh by 2030 contributed to Armenia’s green energy transition. The biggest refurbishment of the country’s nuclear power plant in conformity with international nuclear safety standards allowed to project the steady growth of the energy sector.
Major reforms in governance and judiciary system, strengthening of democratic institutions and social protection, and the uncompromised fight against corruption have been the top priority for the country. Armenia has also been consistently promoting women and girls’ rights, their empowerment and meaningful participation in decision-making processes. The employment and economic benefits for women reached up to 90%. The proportion of seats held by women in the National Assembly is 36.45%.
THE WAY FORWARD
In its 3rd VNR, Armenia will present its experience of resilience, humanitarian action, and steadfast efforts towards SDGs implementation, against the backdrop of security, humanitarian and development challenges.
Our experience will reveal the need for reinvigorated multilateralism and joint action towards withstanding the humanitarian crisis, promoting peace and ensuring progress, development and human rights for all, anchored in the humanitarian-development-peace nexus and with strong emphasis on the most vulnerable. Armenia will continue its consistent efforts towards implementing the 2030 Agenda, based on the development priorities of the country.
Armenia will also continue to address the humanitarian and social-economic challenges of the refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, ensuring an environment for the sustainable development of their livelihood.
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
To ensure an inclusive and participatory VNR preperation process, the Government initiated four multi-stakeholder consultations on SDG implementation in Armenia with members of Parliament, development partners, civil society, private sector and academia. It served as a platform for validation of the VNR, and created an opportunity to shape further joint actions for SDG implementation.
