Aramazd Ghalamkaryan, Chairman of the Water Committee, participated in the "Food Systems Forum 2026" organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila, Philippines.

Held under the theme "Nourishing the Future, Sustaining the Planet," the forum brought together global leaders, international experts, development partners, and representatives from the private sector and civil society to build a resilient food future for the region. High-level attendees included the Prime Minister of Bhutan as well as directors from the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Asian Development Bank. Over the four-day event, discussions focused on the urgent need to transform agrifood systems in light of global climate change, dwindling water resources, loss of biodiversity, and food security challenges.

Water Committee Chairman Aramazd Ghalamkaryan delivered a speech at the forum, outlining Armenia’s policies and strategic development directions in the water sector, particularly within the context of normalizing relations with neighboring countries. Ghalamkaryan presented the peace achieved and the opportunity to leverage that peace for regional water cooperation over the coming decades.

"Armenia’s approach is rooted in the conviction that developing water infrastructure, expanding irrigated lands, and managing water resources efficiently form the foundation for transforming food systems," stated the Chairman. Addressing the audience, he declared that Armenia remains open to new knowledge, expertise, and skills, and is ready to learn.

On the sidelines of the forum, the Chairman held key bilateral meetings with senior ADB officials and other partners:

• Meeting with Jianfeng Zhang, Director of ADB's Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office: The parties discussed several joint priority projects, including the Getik, Garnahovit, Karmir Gyugh, Kaps, and Yeghvard reservoirs, wastewater treatment in the Lake Sevan basin, and the protection of the Araratian artesian basin. The critical importance of reservoir safety was emphasized; Mr. Zhang noted that ADB could allocate grant funds to address this issue.
• Meeting with Norio Saito, Senior Director of the Water and Urban Development Sector Office, and Hikaru Shoji, Principal Urban Development Specialist: The Chairman discussed preparatory work for a large-scale wastewater treatment program in the Lake Sevan basin—specifically, drafting design and cost-estimation packages under ADB technical assistance. Ghalamkaryan also presented a project to establish a research center under the Water Committee.
• Meeting with Tanya Huizer, Senior Water Resilience Specialist: Ms. Huizer presented the ADB-supported "Young Expert" program, which deploys an expert alongside a local specialist to work in a recipient country for one year. Ghalamkaryan expressed the Water Committee's interest in hosting a top-tier water expert paired with a local young professional.
• Meeting with Representatives of "OneWater" (Paul Tomah, Ksenia Goniaeva, and Judith Koren): Discussions centered on a potential project to study and visualize issues related to Armenia's river basins and Lake Sevan. The parties agreed to maintain communication and pursue the initiative subject to securing funding.

The Chairman's participation in the "Food Systems Forum 2026" elevated engagement between the Water Committee and the ADB to a new level, laying the groundwork for key medium- and long-term results for Armenia's water sector.