Armenia is increasingly placing investment and economic security at the heart of its national security strategy. As foreign capital flows intersect more directly with critical infrastructure, sensitive sectors, and regional geopolitical pressures, the need for robust screening systems, strong regulatory capacity, and sound corporate governance has become essential. These safeguards help prevent corrosive capital, promote transparency, and support sustainable, rules-based economic development.
Against this backdrop, from 17–21 November 2025, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), in partnership with the CELIS Institute, Ameria Consulting, and the Corporate Governance Center (CGC), led a coordinated series of engagements funded by UK International Development from the UK government, uniting Armenian regulators, practitioners, international experts, and emerging women leaders.
Building Regulatory Capacity: Technical Exercises and Regional Peer Learning (17–18 November)
The week opened with a two-day technical program for 30 officials, private-sector representatives, and business associations, convened by CIPE, CELIS, and Ameria Consulting.
The program began with opening remarks from Mr. Paul Morris, Chargé d’Affaires (a.i.) at the British Embassy Yerevan, and Ms. Luiza Ayvazyan, Head of Office for CIPE Armenia. Participants then engaged in a hands-on simulation exercise on foreign investment screening, followed by in-depth analytical debriefings led by CELIS experts.
A key highlight was the opportunity for Armenian institutions to learn directly from senior European counterparts:
- Mr. Nikos Štěpánek, Policy Officer, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic
- Mr. Vasile Soldan, Deputy Head, Department for Investment and Strategic Goods, Public Service Agency of the Republic of Moldova
These exchanges offered practical insights into European decision-making frameworks, interagency coordination models, and operational workflows, providing Armenia with valuable guidance as it develops its own investment screening architecture.
Legal Insights and Strategic Dialogue: Deepening Understanding of Investment Screening (19 November)
On 19 November, CIPE and CELIS hosted a dedicated dialogue for 16 Armenian legal practitioners, focusing on the evolving legal dimensions of investment screening mechanisms.
Opening remarks from John Kay and Luiza Ayvazyan set the stage for a Regulators’ Roundtable featuring Nikos Štěpánek and Vasile Soldan. Participants then examined effective strategies for stakeholder engagement in a session led by Ms. Ellen Harte, Director at FGS Global.
Strategic reflections on Armenia’s investment security were delivered by:
- E. Alexandra Cole, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Armenia
- Natalia Otel Belan, CIPE Regional Director for Europe and Eurasia
The program also featured a Romania case study presented by Ms. Ana-Maria Belacurencu, Case Handler at the Romanian Competition Council’s Foreign Direct Investment Commission.
The day concluded with a transatlantic discussion on the role of legal professionals in the U.S. investment screening ecosystem, including CFIUS practice, with online contributions from Mr. John Kabealo, Partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
Advancing Inclusive Governance: Launch of the Women on Boards Training Program (21 November)
The week concluded with the launch of the Women on the Board of Directors Training – 2025–2026, implemented by the Corporate Governance Center in collaboration with CIPE and funded by UK International Development.
The opening session included remarks from:
- Mr. Paul Morris, British Embassy Yerevan
- Ms. Natalia Otel Belan, CIPE
- Ms. Narine Melikyan, Director, Corporate Governance Center
The session introduced the program’s objectives and welcomed the new cohort of Armenian women leaders preparing for future service on corporate boards. The initiative reflects Armenia’s commitment to inclusive, internationally aligned corporate governance.
A Coordinated Effort to Strengthen Armenia’s Economic Security
Across four days, approximately 100 participants engaged in a unified effort to strengthen Armenia’s investment security architecture, reinforce public-private dialogue on economic resilience, and advance modern corporate governance practices.
Supported by UK International Development from the UK government, this initiative contributes directly to Armenia’s long-term stability by promoting transparent, rules-based, and secure economic institutions, cornerstones of both national security and democratic resilience.