The 2026 EITI Global Conference Held in Brussels on 8–9 October

On 8–9 October, the 2026 Global Conference of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) was held in Brussels, Belgium, under the theme “Transparency for Shared Prosperity” [1]. The Republic of Armenia was represented by a delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Asatur Vardanyan.

The delegation participating in the conference and its pre-conference events included Hasmik Manukyan, Head of the EITI National Secretariat and National Coordinator; members of the EITI Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG); Nazeli Vardanyan, President of the “Armenian Forests” NGO; Armen Stepanyan, Director of Sustainable Development at Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine CJSC; Hripsime Kocharyan, President of the “Successful Woman” NGO; Seda Hakobyan, Head of the Subsoil Use Policy Development Division of the Subsoil Department of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure; and Hripsime Iskandaryan, Head of the Secured Rights Registration Division of the State Register Agency of Legal Entities of the Ministry of Justice.

Co-hosted by the Government of Belgium and the European Commission, the conference brought together representatives of governments, civil society, international organisations and the business sector from more than 50 countries to discuss current issues related to the responsible management of natural resources, transparency and accountability.

The conference and its accompanying events featured numerous panel discussions dedicated to the future development of EITI and contemporary challenges. Participants shared their experiences, concerns and perspectives, which could contribute to shaping the Initiative’s future direction and activities.

During the conference, a new Chair of the EITI Board was elected. Maria van der Hoeven, who has held ministerial positions in the Netherlands and served in several major international organisations, will lead the Board for the next three years.

The following events and developments were of particular importance in the context of Armenia’s participation:

67th and 68th Meetings of the EITI Board: Armenia retains its seat on the EITI Board. Armenia will continue to be represented on the Board, with Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Asatur Vardanyan, an MSG member, assuming the responsibilities of a Board member for the next three years. During the 67th Board meeting, Hasmik Manukyan, Armenia’s EITI National Coordinator and the representative of the European constituency on the Board for 2023–2026, received an official EITI Board Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of her valuable contribution to the Board’s work.

Beneficial Ownership Transparency. The Head of the EITI National Secretariat, together with representatives of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure and the State Register Agency of Legal Entities of the Ministry of Justice, participated in a thematic workshop, presenting Armenia’s progress and the reforms implemented to promote the practical use of beneficial ownership data.

Leaders’ Forum. Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Asatur Vardanyan addressed the Leaders’ Forum, presenting Armenia’s commitment to enhancing transparency through the digitalisation of the mining sector. This initiative was officially welcomed by the EITI International Secretariat.

International Cooperation. Working meetings were held with the Asian Development Bank, the EITI International Secretariat and other partner organisations to expand cooperation in the areas of mining governance reforms and data disclosure.

Armenia’s participation in the conference provided another opportunity to present the country’s experience on an international platform, strengthen partnerships and identify further steps towards advancing transparency and accountability in the extractive sector.

[1] https://eiti.org/eiti2026