In 2026, Armenia will host the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Ahead of this major event, an international conference titled “Road to COP17: The Global Biodiversity Agenda and Armenia’s Role” was held on October 7 at the American University of Armenia.
Within the framework of COP17, countries will review their actions aimed at conserving and sustainably using biodiversity - to assess their effectiveness, identify existing gaps, and evaluate overall progress. This was stated by Taukondjo Shikongo, Head of the Nagoya Protocol Unit of the CBD Secretariat, during the conference.
During his presentation, Dr. Lawrence Jones-Walters of Wageningen University and Research (The Netherlands) highlighted Target 3 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which calls for the effective conservation of at least 30% of the planet’s terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems by 2030. He emphasized that each country must also ensure protection of 30% of its own territory.
Presenting Armenia’s data, Karen Manvelyan, Program Director at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Armenia, noted that Armenia’s specially protected nature areas (SPNAs) currently cover 386,355 hectares, equivalent to 13% of the country’s total territory. Since 2012, the total area of SPNAs has increased by 88,600 hectares (3%).
Armenia’s protected areas include:
- 3 state reserves
- 4 national parks
- 27 state sanctuaries
- 233 natural monuments
Approximately 60% of Armenia’s key habitats for flora and fauna are included within SPNAs of various categories.
Areas designated as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) — territories not classified as SPNAs but contributing to the long-term conservation of biodiversity through fair and balanced management — cover 121,035 hectares, or 4.1% of Armenia’s territory.
Combined, SPNAs and OECMs make up 507,390 hectares, representing 17.1% of the country’s total area.
Opportunities to reach 30x30 target
By 2030 anticipated coverage by Protected Areas - 396,155 ha, or 13.3 % of the country's total territory. Establishment of Tatev and Jermuk National parks will increase the total area of PAs by 9,800 ha. There will be 3 state reserves, 6 national parks, 23 state sanctuaries and 233 natural monuments. By 2030 anticipated coverage by Conserved Areas (OECM) – 151,035 ha or 5.1% of the country's total territory. By 2030 anticipated total coverage by Protected Areas and Conserved Areas – 547,190 ha, or 18.4% In case of increase of number of Conserved Areas more probably the total coverage will reach 20%. In case of establishment of PAs or OECM territories in the state forestry lands covering KBAs, Emerald Sites the total coverage can reach 30% (additionally 270,000 ha should be covered by PAs and OECM).
The measures to reach 30% conservation coverage are outlined in the draft National Biodiversity Action Plan of the Republic of Armenia (2025–2030). According to the plan, Armenia intends to:
- Expand the network of SPNAs to cover at least 16.6% of the country’s territory;
- Revise the Law on Specially Protected Nature Areas to ensure the creation and effective management of community-managed and private protected areas, OECMs, micro-reserves, and an eco-network;
- Ensure the protection of at least 13.3% of the country’s territory through OECMs;
- Establish at least one biosphere reserve, to be nominated for recognition under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program.
During the conference, Nika Malazonia, Project Manager for Protected Areas and Biosphere at the Michael Succow Foundation, noted that work is underway to create a biosphere reserve in Dilijan.
October 13, 2025 at 17:01