Why do Strategies Remain Silent: The Discourse of Food Waste Management in the Regional Development Agendas of Armenian Marzes

Abstract

This research examines the alignment between the socio-economic and environmental goals set in the Regional Strategic Development Plans of Armenian Marzes and their actual progress as of 2025, with a particular focus on food waste management. Using a deductive analytical approach, the study evaluates regional strategies through keyword-based content analysis and benchmarks their stated targets against available statistical data from 2015 to 2023. While notable progress was observed in increasing formal employment outside the agricultural sector, most regions failed to meet their GDP and unemployment reduction targets. Crucially, the analysis reveals a substantial policy gap: despite Armenia’s commitment to sustainability under the EU-Armenia CEPA agreement, food waste management is entirely absent from all regional strategies. The lack of legislative frameworks and institutional accountability has led to limited awareness and poor environmental practices across the country. The study concludes with a call for the integration of food waste as a strategic priority in regional planning and the urgent need for national regulation and stakeholder collaboration.