AGFUND And Armenia Strengthen Collaboration For Women's Empowerment And Social Development

Prince Abdul Aziz bin Talal, President of the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND), recently engaged in discussions with Armenia's Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Narek Mkrtchyan. The meeting aimed to enhance cooperation on significant development projects. Key topics included strategic priorities for the AGFUND-Armenia partnership, focusing on multi-stakeholder engagement and sustainable program impacts.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of gender-responsive policies. Both parties expressed their dedication to promoting social and economic progress through scalable initiatives that align with global development goals. A significant focus was the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security, introduced at COP16, which seeks to aid smallholder farmers and tackle issues like desertification and climate change.

In December, AGFUND's board approved a project named "Lifelong Education and Advancement Program for Women" in Armenia. This initiative is a collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Armenia's Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. It aims to boost women's economic participation and empowerment, underlining both AGFUND's and Armenia's commitment to gender equality.

The program will offer education, skills development, and capacity-building opportunities. It will particularly target marginalized groups such as rural women, ethnic minorities, displaced individuals, and those with disabilities. By integrating non-formal education, mentorship, career guidance, and employment connections, the initiative seeks to promote long-term socioeconomic inclusion.

This meeting builds upon efforts from Prince Abdul Aziz’s visit to Armenia in November. During that visit, he met with Armenian leaders to explore potential areas for collaboration. The ongoing dialogue reflects a shared vision for advancing sustainable development through evidence-based initiatives.

The Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security is a major component of these efforts. It addresses critical challenges related to land degradation and drought while supporting smallholder farmers in adapting to climate change impacts.

The commitment from both AGFUND and Armenia highlights a strategic approach towards fostering inclusive growth. By prioritising gender-responsive policies and multi-stakeholder engagement, they aim to achieve meaningful outcomes aligned with international development objectives.

This collaborative approach underscores the importance of partnerships in addressing complex global challenges effectively. Through targeted programs like the Lifelong Education initiative, AGFUND continues its mission of empowering communities across various regions.

With inputs from SPA