In News:

Armenia has recently become the newest State Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), marking a key milestone in its environmental policy direction. The announcement was made at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, reflecting Armenia’s growing commitment to global biodiversity protection, sustainable development, and alignment with international conservation frameworks.

Significance of Membership

By joining IUCN, Armenia gains access to global research, conservation tools, and international collaborations. This step also supports its preparations to host COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2026, signalling its intent to play a leadership role in global biodiversity discussions.

IUCN leadership has welcomed Armenia’s membership, noting that it aligns with the country’s efforts to expand protected areas, restore degraded ecosystems, and bring its environmental laws in line with international standards.

Armenia’s Biodiversity and Conservation Efforts

Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Armenia hosts varied ecosystems—from alpine meadows and mountain forests to semi-deserts and freshwater bodies. These habitats support several threatened and endemic species, including:

• Caucasian leopard (Critically Endangered)
• Bezoar goat
• Sevan trout, native to Lake Sevan

The country has made progress in environmental governance through initiatives such as its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and the Red Book of Armenia. Its conservation agenda includes forest restoration across 12.9% of its territory by 2030, strengthening biodiversity monitoring, and expanding protected areas.

Geographical and Environmental Profile of Armenia

• Location: Southern Caucasus; landlocked
• Borders: Georgia (north), Azerbaijan (east), Iran (southeast), Turkey (west)
• Terrain: Dominated by the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; volcanic soils rich in nitrogen, potash, phosphates
• Highest Peak:Mount Aragats (4,090 m)
• Climate: Highland continental — hot summers, cold winters
• Rivers: Aras, Hrazdan, Arpa, Vorotan — key for irrigation and hydropower
• Major Lake:Lake Sevan, Armenia’s largest freshwater body
• Resources: Small deposits of copper, gold, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite
• Capital & Language: Yerevan; Armenian