Category: News

Armenia is stepping up efforts to protect biodiversity, with new policies, challenges, and international cooperation shaping the agenda.

In this context, hosting COP17 in Yerevan this year is seen as a key opportunity to align national priorities with global biodiversity goals.

In an interview with Armenpress, Voskehat Grigoryan, Head of the Department for Specially Protected Areas of Nature and Biodiversity Policy at the Armenian Ministry of Environment and National Focal Point for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, outlined Armenia’s priorities, challenges, and expectations in the field of biodiversity conservation. She highlighted the adoption of laws and regulatory legal acts aimed at biodiversity conservation and protection as a key priority.

COP17—the Seventeenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity—will be held in Yerevan, Armenia, in October 2026. The implementation progress of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is expected to be assessed during the meeting. The framework sets out an ambitious pathway to reach the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 2050. Among the Framework’s key elements are 4 goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030. 

Armenpress: What expectations does Armenia have from the COP17 conference to be held in Yerevan this year in terms of biodiversity conservation?

Grigoryan: Armenia views hosting COP17 as a unique political and diplomatic opportunity to align global and national agendas in the field of biodiversity conservation. First and foremost, it is expected that progress in implementing the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework will be assessed, along with more systematic integration of its requirements at the national level.

The conference serves as an important platform to bring together international partners—including governmental, scientific, community, and private sector actors—to undertake coordinated and effective environmental actions, attract financial and technical support, and further clarify national targets. It also provides Armenia with an opportunity to act as an active regional player in environmental initiatives and to enhance the country’s role in the global environmental agenda.

One of our key objectives is to combine the conservation of Armenia’s ecosystems, species, and genetic resources with their sustainable use and restoration. This is especially important for a country like Armenia, where biodiversity conservation is directly linked to the sustainable use of water resources, land, and forests, as well as climate resilience, tourism, agriculture, and other dynamic sectors.

– What are the main challenges currently facing Armenia in the field of biodiversity conservation?

– In recent decades, large-scale human-driven and resource-intensive activities worldwide have led to the rapid and irreversible loss of biodiversity and natural ecosystems.

A significant portion of threats to biodiversity is caused by habitat loss, degradation, and changes in environmental conditions. These threats can be both human-induced and natural, including direct and indirect impacts, and are often interconnected as part of complex risk factors.

The direct causes of habitat loss and degradation are primarily human-induced. These include mining and other industrial activities, large-scale infrastructure development, hydropower projects, agriculture and the food industry, deforestation, recreation and tourism, household pollution, overexploitation of biological resources, the spread of invasive species, military activities, forest fires, the impact of diseases and pests on ecosystems, and climate change.

There are also systemic governance challenges, such as incomplete data and monitoring systems, limited financial resources, and insufficient coordination between sectoral policies.

– What biodiversity changes have been observed in different regions of Armenia over the past 5–10 years?

– During this period, both negative and positive trends have been recorded in Armenia. Negative changes are mainly reflected in habitat loss, a decline in certain species populations, and disruptions in ecosystem structure. At the same time, due to the expansion of protected areas, the implementation of restoration programs, and improvements in management mechanisms, some regions show signs of ecosystem recovery—including increased stability of forest and aquatic ecosystems. These changes vary in intensity across regions, depending on both natural and socio-economic factors.

– Which consequences of ecosystem degradation do you consider most significant for people?

– The consequences of ecosystem degradation have a direct impact on people’s quality of life and economic stability. The most significant include biodiversity loss or negative changes in species composition, the spread of invasive species, the reduction and instability of water resources, declining soil fertility, increased risks in agriculture, intensified climate impacts, a higher likelihood of natural disasters, and worsening living conditions in communities.

Unregulated water use, intensive agriculture, uncontrolled ecotourism, and rapid construction in large cities can further aggravate these negative effects if not managed according to sustainable development principles.

– Which policy issues in the sector require urgent attention?

– Priority should be given to adopting laws and regulatory legal acts aimed at biodiversity conservation and protection, along with the steps and measures supporting them. It is also essential to develop and adopt biodiversity-related programs and policies, implement systematic monitoring, and approve methodological and procedural regulations for such monitoring. Conducting state-level research is also crucial.

– To what extent do state programs correspond to the real needs of ecosystem and species conservation, and how would you assess the effectiveness of existing laws and regulations?

– Armenia’s legislative framework in the field of biodiversity is relatively well developed and provides the main regulations for conservation and use. However, legal provisions alone are sometimes insufficient to fully address existing challenges. A more integrated, action-oriented legal framework is needed—one based on science-driven management and active community participation.

State programs largely align with international commitments and are aimed at achieving key biodiversity conservation goals. They include conservation, restoration, and management components. Nevertheless, actual needs often exceed available financial and institutional capacities, which calls for continuous program development, increased efficiency, and expanded international cooperation.

– What role do local communities play in data collection and nature conservation?

– Communities located near specially protected natural areas, as primary stakeholders, play a key role in biodiversity conservation. They are involved in natural resource management, as well as in monitoring and data collection processes, ensuring the availability and accuracy of information at the local level.

The example of the Arpa Protected Landscape clearly demonstrates that communities are a vital link in conservation efforts, balancing environmental and socio-economic interests and contributing to sustainable development. This is especially important in remote mountainous areas, where state oversight is limited.

Community involvement increases the effectiveness of programs. To support this, educational initiatives aimed at capacity building are implemented, ensuring long-term and sustainable outcomes.

Azerbaijan has exported another batch of oil products to Armenia, according to the Azerbaijani APA news agency.

A total of 22 railcars (1,298 tons) of diesel fuel has been sent to Armenia, according to the report.

So far, Azerbaijan has exported 6,312 tons of diesel, 979 tons of AI-92 gasoline, and 2,955 tons of AI-95 gasoline to Armenia, according to APA.

In addition, another shipment from Russia (240 tons of fertilizer) to Armenia has been carried out via transit through Azerbaijan.

According to APA, to date, 23,900 tons of grain, more than 1,100 tons of fertilizer, and 68 tons of buckwheat have been transported from Russia to Armenia via Azerbaijan.

The cargo passes through Georgian territory, as the direct rail connection between Armenia and Azerbaijan has not yet been restored.

Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan said on Tuesday that he will hold meetings with his Azerbaijani and Georgian counterparts during the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, which will take place in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Simonyan will lead a delegation to Türkiye from 16–19 April to participate in the 152nd IPU Assembly.

“Speakers of parliaments from many countries will be present there. At this stage, meetings are scheduled with my counterparts from Azerbaijan and Georgia,” Simonyan said.

Simonyan met his Azerbaijani counterpart, Sahiba Gafarova, during the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva.

Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan said on Tuesday that he maintains “very good and respectful” relations with his Russian counterpart, Valentina Matviyenko, and that the main reason for phoning her earlier this month was to convey birthday greetings.

Simonyan was asked at a press briefing to elaborate on the phone call, as the readout did not mention specifics.

“The phone call was made on the occasion of my colleague’s birthday. I must say that I have very good and respectful relations with the head of the Federation Council, and we always speak openly and directly, within a framework of mutual respect. In a few days, I will be traveling to Istanbul, and she will also be there. I assume we will interact there. This is not about an official meeting, but simply about informal interaction,” Simonyan said, referring to his upcoming visit to Türkiye for the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly.

Simonyan spoke by phone on April 7 with the Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Valentina Matviyenko.

Simonyan earlier said that meetings with his Azerbaijani and Georgian counterparts are also expected during the IPU Assembly.

Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan, a senior member of the ruling Civil Contract party, said on Tuesday that all problems with Russia will be resolved through dialogue.

“We will raise all issues with Russia and try to move forward by resolving them,” he said at a press briefing when asked about economic issues with Russia.

“We do not pose any threat to Russia and do not intend to become one; there is no such intention. There are some issues, and such issues exist between all countries. At times, these issues increase or decrease. That’s what we politicians are for — to discuss and resolve these issues,” Simonyan added.

Bright Armenia Party leader Edmon Marukyan announced on Tuesday that his party will run for parliament in the June 7 elections.

In a statement, former lawmaker and former Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan said his efforts to unite the entire opposition into a single force had not yielded results, and that each political force is running on its own. He said he had been trying to unite the opposition for the past six months.

“We acknowledge that it did not work out; each of us went our separate ways, and Karpis and I have decided to go our own way, with a single goal — to serve the Republic of Armenia,” Marukyan said, referring to Karpis Pashoyan, the journalist and podcaster with whom he co-hosts a weekly program.

Meanwhile, Pashoyan said he is temporarily stepping down as a political commentator and from his journalistic role, and will run for parliament under the Bright Armenia party list.

Pashoyan added that over the past six months they had done everything possible to consolidate the opposition and create a joint electoral list, but nothing had come of it.

“Our partners chose a different path, and we decided to go our own way. And what is our path? To participate in the elections with our own agenda, with our modest approach, but with big ideas — very big ideas,” Pashoyan wrote.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has received Benjamin Haddad, France’s Minister Delegate for European Affairs.

According to a readout from Pashinyan’s office, during the meeting the sides discussed issues related to the agenda of Armenia–France bilateral relations and the further development of multifaceted cooperation. They also touched upon Armenia–EU cooperation, as well as matters related to hosting the European Political Community Summit in Armenia.

Pashinyan and Haddad also exchanged views on regional developments and steps aimed at ensuring peace and stability.

Both sides emphasized the importance of continuing active political dialogue and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Armenia’s Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Arayik Harutyunyan met with Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, the government’s press service said.

The interlocutors highlighted the ongoing development of Armenia–EU cooperation and stressed the importance of further advancing the comprehensive bilateral agenda.

Harutyunyan underscored the European Union’s support for the effective implementation of democratic reforms in Armenia, noting that ensuring the continuity of reforms remains a key priority for the government.

The parties also discussed the agenda of the inaugural Armenia–EU summit scheduled to be held in Yerevan in May, as well as organizational issues related to the European Political Community summit.

Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan held a meeting with the Ambassador of Qatar to Armenia, Mansoor Abdullah Al-Sulaitin.

In a statement on social media, Grigoryan said the meeting highlighted the high level of Armenia–Qatar bilateral relations.

The Secretary of the Security Council and the Qatari ambassador reaffirmed their readiness to continue cooperation in areas of mutual interest, in order to fully realize the existing potential for multifaceted cooperation, according to the readout. 

“We also discussed regional developments, emphasizing the importance of establishing peace and stability,” Armen Grigoryan added.

A government-drafted bill proposing amendments to Armenia’s Tax Code envisages creating a favorable tax environment for two key manufacturing sectors of the economy — gold and diamond manufacturing.

The bill was presented for first reading in parliament by Deputy Finance Minister Arman Poghosyan.

He said the bill essentially introduces systemic improvements to the tax environment in these sectors, as it proposes preferential VAT regulations that differ from those applied to other industries.

Following the law’s adoption, for producers of gold and precious stones, the VAT base will be calculated not on the full price set by the producer, but on the difference between that price and the documented costs of the gold and precious stones used to produce the item.

“In other words, it will be calculated based on the newly created value generated by the producer, excluding the cost of gold and precious stones. Under roughly the same logic, resellers will be allowed to calculate VAT not on the full sale price, but on the difference between the sale price and the price paid to the producer, reflecting only their trade margin,” the deputy minister said.

He added that, in order to simplify tax accounting and administration and to ensure predictable rules, it is proposed that if the taxable base calculated under this method is less than 10 percent of the total price, then at least 10 percent of the price will be used as the basis for taxation.