Armenia is strengthening its position in global environmental diplomacy. The official recognition of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) National Committee of Armenia confirms that at the upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17) in October, our country will stand not only as a host but as a proactive architect of environmental policy.

The official status, granted by the IUCN Council on April 22, 2026, enables Armenia's environmental community to act with a unified voice, directly influencing global processes in biodiversity conservation.

According to Ruben Khachatryan, the first President of the IUCN National Committee and Director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), this marks a qualitatively new stage for Armenia: "We are no longer merely adopters of international standards. Through this committee, Armenia becomes a platform where innovative conservation models, such as OECM (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures), are developed and tested. This means we will be presenting our own successful experiences to the global community."

The committee’s founding membership comprises state entities, as well as scientific and non-governmental organizations, including the Yerevan Municipality (represented by Sirarpi Haykazyan), the FPWC (Ruben Khachatryan), and the NGOs 'ArAves' (Tsovinar Hovhannisyan) and 'SunChild' (Sona Kalantaryan).

Sirarpi Haykazyan, Head of the Environmental Protection Department of the Yerevan Municipality, also emphasized the significance of the committee's establishment: "This is a major step forward for nature conservation in Armenia. The National Committee creates a mechanism for coordinated action across various sectors and levels—from Yerevan’s local government initiatives to national policy development and international cooperation."

Notably, within the framework of CBD COP17, to be held in Yerevan from October 19-30, Armenia will champion several key initiatives:

• Implementation of Private Protected Area Models: The National Committee has prioritized the OECM framework, which will demonstrate Armenia's progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s "30x30" target.

• Global Environmental Symposium: The FPWC will convene a high-level conference in Yerevan featuring over 200 international organizations, including BirdLife International and the World Land Trust.

• 20th Anniversary of "SunChild": The 14th edition of the SunChild International Environmental Festival will take place during COP17, serving as a vital cultural and educational platform.

• Biodiversity Ambassadors: The committee has announced a special educational program for youth in collaboration with the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN).

Founded in 1948, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, uniting more than 1,400 member organizations (both governmental and NGO) and approximately 15,000 experts. The presence of an IUCN National Committee provides a country with an "environmental passport" in international arenas, allowing it to present national priorities, attract international investment, and utilize global scientific resources, such as the IUCN Red List assessments.