Ucom and SunChild Continue Joint Initiatives for a Greener Future

Ucom and the SunChild NGO joined forces to foster environmental culture in Armenia, organizing an environmental and educational event at the Urtsadzor forestry station of the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC).

Ucom employees, together with specialists from the SunChild and the FPWC, planted fruit trees at the forestry station to support the restoration of mountainous landscapes and strengthen ecosystem resilience. The initiative was organized in line with the “Zero Waste” principle, eliminating single-use plastics and minimizing environmental impact. As part of this cooperation, 10,000 trees are planted annually, forming Ucom’s forest — Uforest.

 “Ucom is a green company, and we value not only technological progress but also the impact of our operations on the environment and communities. Uforest is a vision we started implementing long ago, and we will continue developing it into reality. Initiatives like this provide our team with the opportunity to actively engage in sustainable development processes and foster a sense of responsibility. We are confident that it is through collaboration between businesses and professional organizations that long-term impact can be achieved and a greener future in Armenia can be shaped,” said Ralph Yirikian, General Director of Ucom.

The educational component of the event featured an “Ecovillage Design” workshop led by the SunChild, based on the methodology of the Gaia Education international network. During the interactive session, the Ucom team explored the principles of sustainable development across ecological, social, economic, cultural, and governance dimensions, and considered how these can be applied within an organizational context.

“For us, it is essential to see how large organizations like Ucom are willing to embrace the values of sustainable development. The SunChild NGO places importance not only on practical environmental actions, but also on the shift in mindset that takes place within teams through such workshops. This represents a systemic approach, where business, civil society, and nature come together around a shared interest—for a sustainable and resilient future,” said Sona Kalantaryan, Director of SunChild NGO.

Representatives of Ucom and the SunChild also held discussions on the upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17), which is scheduled to take place in Yerevan in October 2026.

The role of collaboration between the private sector and civil society was emphasized as a key factor in advancing Armenia’s environmental agenda and addressing global challenges.

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Ucom is the No. 1 operator in Armenia with the fastest mobile internet and the best fixed network (based on Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data for the second half of 2025). The company offers internet, IPTV and OTT television, fixed and mobile services, as well as convergent packages. 

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The “SunChild” NGO specializes in environmental education, the implementation of sustainable development methodologies, and the execution of awareness-raising programs.

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The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) supports the implementation of environmental initiatives by providing professional platforms and expertise in landscape restoration.