The Government of Armenia, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme, and the United Nations Environment Programme, has launched a joint programme titled “Unlocking Sustainable Finance for Nutrition-Sensitive, Climate-Smart Food Systems Transformation in Armenia.” The initiative was officially introduced in Yerevan on 29 January 2026 under the leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Armenia, Françoise Jacob, with support from the UN Joint SDG Fund. The programme is designed to strengthen Armenia’s food systems by improving access to sustainable finance and accelerating the transition toward climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.
The programme seeks to advance inclusive and resilient food systems by combining policy support with practical investments that benefit farmers, agribusinesses, and consumers. Its objectives include strengthening climate-smart value chains, expanding financial access for small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises, and encouraging healthier and more sustainable food consumption. By focusing on people-centered solutions, the initiative aims to increase productivity, reduce environmental pressure, generate rural employment, and improve nationwide access to nutritious food.
Key areas of intervention include the strengthening of seed systems, the development of sustainable dairy value chains, improved financing opportunities for agrifood enterprises, and the promotion of healthy diets. Together, these measures are expected to support farmers in adopting climate-smart practices, enhance biodiversity, and improve livelihoods while contributing to long-term food security. The programme also places strong emphasis on nature-positive production, agroecology, and land restoration as essential components of resilient food systems.
The initiative aligns closely with Armenia’s Food Security Strategy for 2023–2026 and the National Food Systems Pathway 2021, while contributing to several Sustainable Development Goals related to food security, nutrition, climate action, and sustainable economic growth. Innovative financing mechanisms play a central role in the programme, including outcome-based models that link private investment to measurable improvements in agricultural productivity, environmental outcomes, and farmer livelihoods.
By integrating climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and sustainable finance, the joint programme demonstrates how agricultural transformation can deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits simultaneously. As Armenia prepares to host the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the initiative offers a timely opportunity to showcase scalable solutions that support farmers, restore ecosystems, and build a more inclusive and sustainable food system for the future.
