U.S. Applauds Armenia's Democratic Progress with $20.6 Million for Cyber, Border, Energy Security, and Media Support

During the United Nations General Assembly in New York, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USAID Administrator Samantha Power listed the significant progress Armenia has made in advancing its democracy. To support this democratic progress, they announced a substantial new aid package of $20.6 million from the United States to further strengthen Armenia's democratic and security efforts. This funding aims to strengthen the country's resilience, security, and reform initiatives. This shows yet another step in the deepening cooperation between the two nations.

The new commitments were announced during the USAID “Democracy Delivers” event, a gathering that brought together government leaders, philanthropic organizations, and civil society representatives. The event focused on supporting countries like Armenia that are undergoing democratic transitions and need additional resources to ensure the progress is lasting and impactful. The Armenian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, has been working to strengthen its democratic systems since the 2018 Velvet Revolution, which overhauled the country’s governance structures.

Secretary Blinken and Administrator Power, together with partners like the Ford Foundation, announced that the U.S. will provide $20 million to Armenia. This funding will focus on three key areas: cyber security, border security, and energy security. The goal is to equip Armenia to better handle complex threats in an increasingly challenging regional environment. Additionally, an extra $600,000 will be directed toward strengthening the country's independent media and improving media literacy.

These new investments build upon a previous $11.9 million aid package announced by Administrator Power during her visit to Yerevan in July. That earlier package was designed to boost Armenia’s economic resilience, digital transformation, and preparedness for natural disasters. Together, these investments demonstrate the United States’ ongoing commitment to Armenia’s development and democratic progress.

As part of the broader support for Armenia’s democratic journey, USAID also announced that $600,000 will go toward enhancing Armenia's independent media through the Promoting Information Integrity and Resilience Initiative (ProInfo). This funding will help local media outlets use innovative technologies to produce high-quality journalism that serves the public interest, as well as promoting media literacy among citizens.

The importance of a free and independent press has become increasingly evident as Armenia navigates complex political, social, and security challenges. The new funding aims to strengthen the country's media sector, ensuring that citizens have access to accurate and reliable information, which is critical for holding the government accountable and building informed public debate.

During the event, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan joined leaders from other countries that are experiencing democratic renewal. He used the platform to emphasize Armenia’s progress in building a resilient democracy since the 2018 revolution. Pashinyan welcomed the new investments and thanked the United States for their continued support.

According to Pashinyan, Armenia has made significant strides in strengthening its democratic institutions and ensuring that government reforms are aligned with the needs of its citizens. He noted that one of the most important outcomes of Armenia’s democratic transformation has been the ability of its people to engage freely in political life and economic activities without fear of repression or monopolization.