US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USAID Administrator Samantha Power highlighted Armenia’s democratic progress and announced a new commitment of $20.6 million from the United States to support this advancement, according to the US Embassy in Armenia.

The funding was revealed during the USAID “Democracy Delivers” event at the UN General Assembly, where Blinken and Power, in collaboration with the Ford Foundation, gathered government leaders, philanthropic partners, and civil society representatives to enhance support for Armenia and other countries experiencing democratic transitions.

The announced $20 million will focus on enhancing cyber, border, and energy security in Armenia, while also strengthening the country’s resilience against various threats. Additionally, $600,000 from the Promoting Information Integrity and Resilience Initiative (ProInfo) will bolster the technological capabilities of independent media, promoting impactful journalism and advocating for necessary media reforms.

This new funding builds upon approximately $11.9 million previously announced during Power’s visit to Yerevan in July, aimed at enhancing economic resilience, digital transformation, and disaster preparedness.

“In July, I traveled to Yerevan to witness the Armenian people's commitment to democracy firsthand. I’m pleased to announce that, with Congress's collaboration, USAID and the State Department will provide $20 million to bolster security and resilience,” Power remarked.

Armenian Government Approves $130 Million Increase in US Development Cooperation Grant

During a Cabinet meeting on September 26, the Armenian government approved the first amendment to the development cooperation grant agreement with the United States, originally signed on September 10. This amendment will boost the total amount of US assistance to Armenia by $130 million, raising the overall contribution from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to $250 million.

The additional funds are designated for vital sectors in Armenia, including disaster risk management, cybersecurity, food and energy security, regional cooperation and trade, democratic processes, and inclusive economic development. This financial boost aims to further the implementation of ongoing programs under the agreement and expand the scope of these initiatives.