In August 2026, EcoLur Informational NGO held an awareness-raising meeting in Vernashen settlement of Yeghegnadzor Community ahead of COP17.
During the meeting, Victoria Burnazyan, Deputy President of EcoLur Informational NGO, presented the main objectives of COP17. At COP15 in 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted. One of the framework’s key objectives is to reduce biodiversity loss by 2030 and take measures towards its restoration. COP17 is expected to assess the progress countries have made towards implementing the targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework. To this end, countries have submitted national reports to the Secretariat of the Convention, on the basis of which the global review will be conducted. According to preliminary information, 51 documents are expected to be discussed in Yerevan.
One of the key targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is to ensure the conservation of at least 30% of the world’s terrestrial and inland water areas by 2030. According to Victoria Burnazyan, this approach also applies to individual countries, but Armenia has set a different target in its national programme.
In 2026, the Republic of Armenia adopted its National Biodiversity Conservation Programme, which includes five goals and 30 targets. These derive from the 23 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and address biodiversity conservation, the sustainable use of natural resources, and the provision of the necessary financial, material and technical, and human resources.
Under Armenia’s national programme, the share of protected areas is to be increased to 20% of the country’s territory by 2030. To achieve this target, the establishment of Jermuk and Tatev National Parks, as well as the Dilijan Biosphere Area, is envisaged.
According to Victoria Burnazyan, at least 20 of the 30 targets of the national programme are relevant to Yeghegnadzor Community.
Victoria Burnazyan emphasised the importance of community participation in biodiversity conservation processes. Within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity, a community is viewed not only as a user of natural resources, but also as a participant in their conservation, a holder of traditional knowledge, and a stakeholder in environmental decision-making processes.
According to her, community participation is also important for ensuring environmental education and public oversight.
The Yeghegnadzor area is one of the key ecological corridors in southern Armenia. It facilitates the movement of animals between the country’s central and southern mountain ecosystems, connecting a number of key biodiversity areas, including the area around Jermuk Hydrological Sanctuary, the southern parts of Khosrov Forest State Reserve, and the Zangezur Biosphere Complex.
Victoria Burnazyan also addressed the Teqsar area in Vayots Dzor Region, where the Gladzor polymetallic deposit is located.
Under the EU4Environment programme, the Teksar AM0000029 Emerald candidate site, covering an area of 11,381.29 hectares, has been proposed. Sixteen target habitats have been identified within the site, as well as one plant species — Echium russicum — 31 bird species and 11 mammal species whose conservation is proposed to be ensured within the site.
The programme “Strengthening Civil Society Leadership and Biodiversity Governance Ahead of COP17 in Armenia” is implemented by EcoLur Informational NGO with the support of the Heinrich Boell Stiftung Yerevan Office – South Caucasus Region.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Heinrich Boell Stiftung Yerevan Office – South Caucasus Region.
September 14, 2026 at 15:47