Nevertheless, the geopolitical challenges continued to weigh on Armenia’s growth. 2022 witnessed numerous crises in the region, including the war in Ukraine, and massive anti-government protests in Iran. Events in Armenia were dominated by the political tension and growing insecurity from the unresolved Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In September 2022, fighting broke out along the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan and inside Armenia, resulting in significant human toll, trauma, destruction of houses and civilian infrastructure in cities of Jermuk, Sotk, Vardenis, Kapan and Goris, economic and social costs, affecting primarily the most vulnerable communities and the poor. In the aftermath of hostilities, the increased proximity of foreign military forces to a number of communities in the Syunik region negatively affected their security, freedom of movement, as well as their social and economic rights.

The concluded ceasefire remained fragile, and the International Crisis Group included the conflict among 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2023.

Since December 12, 2022, the Lachin Corridor, the only road that links Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia, remains impeded as a result of the action of a group of Azerbaijani protesters claiming to be environmental activists.