Armenia has launched a major reform of the nature reserves sector, aimed at modernizing environmental policy and making it more effective, Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan has announced.

In a video posted on social media, Matevosyan said that for years the sector has operated within the framework of existing legal regulations, which no longer fully correspond to modern challenges. He said that a clear political decision has been made to make nature conservation a state priority, linking it with community development, economic opportunities, and the interests of future generations.

Under the new changes, communities are being given, for the first time, the opportunity to establish locally significant protected areas and participate in their management. According to him, this is an important step, as communities will henceforth become full partners in the nature conservation process.

Matevosyan also emphasized that the reforms create new opportunities for community development, particularly in eco-tourism and environmental initiatives. At the same time, the management rules for protected areas are being clarified, approaches aligned with international standards are being introduced, and the system for protecting natural values is being strengthened.

According to him, the implemented measures will not only modernize the sector but also ensure more effective fulfillment of Armenia’s international commitments in the field of biodiversity conservation.

“Our goal is simple: to have a developing country where economic progress goes hand in hand with nature conservation and a peaceful future,” the minister said.