Japan to Provide Armenia with $1.7 Million for Air Quality Monitoring

The Government of Japan has pledged $1.7 million to Armenia to enhance its air quality monitoring capabilities. This funding will modernize existing monitoring stations and acquire advanced equipment, as reported by Armenia's Ministry of Environment.

The agreement was formalized through an exchange of notes between Armenia's Minister of Environment, Hambardzum Matevosyan, and Japan’s Ambassador to Armenia, Yutaka Aoki. The initiative is part of Japan's Grant for Economic and Social Development program.

Minister Matevosyan said that this collaboration will boost Armenia's efforts in environmental protection and climate change mitigation. He noted that the grant complements previous state-funded initiatives, such as the acquisition of two modern reference monitoring stations in 2024.

Armenia's air quality has been a growing concern. In 2024, the country's average PM2.5 concentration was 24.4 µg/m³, nearly five times higher than the World Health Organization's annual guideline of 5 µg/m³ IQAir. The primary sources of this pollution include vehicle emissions, the burning of solid fuels like wood and coal, industrial activities, and road dust Armenia Blackouts.

The new funding from Japan is expected to improve the accuracy of air quality data, enhance forecasting reliability, and contribute to the development of sustainable urban environments. This partnership shows the importance of international cooperation in addressing global environmental challenges.

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