Armash settlement in Ararat Region is distinguished by its wetlands and rich biodiversity, particularly its birdlife. Since the 1970s, a network of fishponds created for aquaculture has formed valuable wetland habitats for birds.
More than 200 of the 353 bird species recorded in Armenia can be found in Armash, making it a unique biodiversity treasure whose conservation is of great importance.
Armash's wetlands have the potential to be designated as a protected site under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention). Armash is also one of Armenia's 23 candidate Emerald Network sites. Emerald Network sites are protected under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention).
This October, Armenia will host the 17th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17). The conference will also provide an important platform for presenting and discussing the biodiversity of Armash, as well as the challenges and opportunities related to its conservation.
To this end, EcoLur Information NGO held an awareness meeting on 16 July at the Office of Administrative Head of Armash settlement. The meeting was attended by EcoLur team, representatives of the Armash administrative staff, members of the local civil society, and residents.
Viktoria Burnazyan, Vice President of EcoLur Informational NGO, presented the main objectives of COP17, the targets of Armenia's national biodiversity conservation programme, the unique characteristics of the Armash wetlands, and the challenges and opportunities related to biodiversity conservation.
Tigran Matevosyan, President of "Armash Rural Communities Support and Development Center" NGO, presented the environmental issues of concern to local residents.
During the meeting, particular emphasis was placed on the opportunities for active local residents to participate in the COP17 process and to present their community's environmental concerns on an international platform.
The meeting was held within the framework of "Supporting Armenia's CBD COP Presidency and Domestic Implementation" project implemented by EcoLur Informational NGO in cooperation with the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, with the support of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).
Continuable
This article was prepared within the framework of “Supporting Armenia's CBD COP Presidency and Domestic Implementation” project, which is implemented by Ecolur Informational NGO in cooperation with the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, with support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).
The views expressed within the framework of the project do not necessarily reflect the views of the Fridtjof Nansen Institute.
July 21, 2026 at 14:41