Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan presented the 2026 budget allocations and planned programs of the Ministry of Environment of the RA at a joint session of the Standing Committees on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environment Protection, and Financial- Credit and Budgetary Issues.
The total planned funding for 25 measures under six budget programs implemented by the Ministry amounts to approximately 15.4 billion drams, which is 813 million drams more than the approved 2025 budget of 14.5 billion drams.
Of the planned amount for 2026:
around 2.4 billion drams will be provided through international grants, and
about 13 billion drams will come directly from the state budget of the Republic of Armenia.
The Minister also addressed the organizational and financial aspects of hosting the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), to be held in Yerevan in October 2026. The Ministry will receive 1 billion drams for this purpose, with the remaining funds to be allocated from the Government’s reserve fund.
The total allocation for the “Forest Management” program amounts to more than 7 billion drams.
With the adoption of the Law “On Eco-Patrol Service”, the protection of forests and specially protected nature areas will be carried out by the eco-patrol service. According to the draft state budget for 2026, 5.7 billion drams will be allocated to this service. As part of the system implementation process, efforts are ongoing to recruit and equip eco-patrol staff, engage investment programs, and ensure support from international partners.
475.5 million drams will be allocated for the maintenance costs of the “Armforest” SNCO, which accounts for 42% of the organization’s salary fund. The main portion of the SNCO’s maintenance expenses is expected to be covered by its own revenues from entrepreneurial activities.
The funding for forest restoration and afforestation activities has decreased by 50%, amounting to 500 million drams.
About 391 million drams are planned for measures to combat harmful organisms in forests.
686 million drams of environmental subsidies are planned for 17 affected communities.
The Minister presented several ongoing environmental programs and spoke about events planned for 2026. In Kapan, cleaning works will be carried out along the Voghji Riverbed, while in Nor Nork administrative district of Yerevan, a project will be implemented to collect rainwater and establish an irrigation system.
1.11 billion drams will be allocated for the implementation of the “Management of Natural Resources and Specially Protected Nature Areas” program, including 624.5 million drams for the maintenance costs of six SNCOs managing specially protected areas.
The allocation for the restoration of Sevan trout stocks and the rehabilitation of the Fish Farming Development Fund amounts to 467.7 million drams.
The Minister also presented in detail a number of other sectoral program indicators and answered questions from the deputies.