On 27 October, during the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Yerevan, the Heinrich Böll Foundation Yerevan Office organised a research presentation exploring how environmental democracy is reflected in Armenia's governance of natural resources and protected areas.
The discussion brought together two research perspectives examining different landscapes: the Amulsar gold mine and Lake Arpi National Park (LANP). Through these case studies, the speakers explored the relationship between biodiversity conservation, environmental governance, public participation, land rights and local livelihoods.
Inga Zarafyan, President of EcoLur Armenia and a Green Lab alumna, presented research on resource extraction, focusing on the implications of the Amulsar gold mine for Armenia's biodiversity commitments, the protection of Emerald Network sites, the planned Jermuk National Park and public participation in environmental decision-making.
Aida Papikyan, Researcher at the Acopian Center for the Environment at the American University of Armenia and a Green Lab alumna, presented research on Lake Arpi National Park. Her presentation examined the intersections of conservation, land rights and rural livelihoods, as well as the legal and institutional frameworks shaping protected area governance.
Bringing the two cases into conversation highlighted both existing governance strengths and potential gaps, raising questions about how environmental decisions are made, whose interests and perspectives are considered, and how the rights and livelihoods of local communities can be protected alongside biodiversity.
As Armenia holds the COP17 presidency, translating its biodiversity commitments into transparent, participatory and accountable environmental governance remains an important challenge. Meaningful public participation, effective biodiversity protection and recognition of local communities' rights and livelihoods are essential to advancing more equitable and effective approaches to conservation.
The discussion was part of the Heinrich Böll Foundation Yerevan Office's engagement at COP17, which sought to create spaces for research, dialogue and exchange between environmental experts, civil society representatives and other stakeholders.