In a significant move to support Armenia's democratic progress, the United States government has announced a substantial aid package of $20.6 million. The announcement was made on September 25, 2024, during the UN General Assembly at USAID's "Democracy Delivers" event in New York.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USAID Administrator Samantha Power highlighted the importance of this financial commitment, which aims to bolster Armenia's cyber, border, and energy security while strengthening its resilience against complex threats and challenges. The bulk of the aid, $20 million, will be directed towards these critical areas.
An additional $600,000 will be allocated through USAID's Promoting Information Integrity and Resilience Initiative (ProInfo). This funding is earmarked to enhance the technological capacities of independent media in Armenia, promote media literacy, and support key media reforms in the country.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who attended the event alongside other world leaders, welcomed the new investments and collaborations aimed at furthering democratic resilience in Armenia. The Prime Minister emphasized the country's commitment to democratic progress and expressed gratitude for the international support.
This new aid package builds upon a previous commitment of $11.9 million announced during Administrator Power's visit to Yerevan in July 2024. The earlier funding focused on strengthening economic resilience, advancing digital transformation, and supporting disaster preparedness in Armenia.
In her opening remarks, Administrator Power reflected on her recent visit to Armenia, stating, "In July, I traveled to Yerevan to build on this essential progress and see the work the Armenian people are putting into their democracy firsthand. And now, I'm pleased to announce this additional support to bolster Armenia's security and resilience."
The "Democracy Delivers" initiative, launched by Blinken and Power in 2022, aims to bring together a coalition of partners to support countries undergoing democratic renewal. This latest commitment to Armenia underscores the United States' continued dedication to promoting democracy and ensuring tangible progress for citizens in countries embracing democratic values.
