$18.7 million will be invested in Armenia throughout the coming eight years to create new forests, the country's Ministry of Environment reports.

Implemented through the Forestry Program of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this is the first large-scale project in Europe and Central Asia, financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The project seeks to expand Armenia's forest area by 2.5%, reduce the demand for firewood in rural communities by at least 30%, to promote sustainable forest management and ensure the availability of technologies in rural communities.

According to information provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization, forest areas in Armenia covered an area of 328,000 ha, down from 335,000 ha in 1990.