Minister of Environment Hakob Simidyan received Ajay Bara, the regional director of the international European program offices of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and Karen Manelyan, the director of the Armenian office of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Aram Meimaryan, deputy minister coordinating the field, participated in the meeting.
The minister welcomed the colleagues and referred to the long-standing and effective cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Conservation of endangered species, such as the Caucasian leopard, is a priority for WWF Armenia. Another important focus is developing and strengthening the protected area system.
WWF provides continuous support to the specially protected natural areas of the Republic of Armenia. Organizes training courses for staff and equips logistics for conservation, research, monitoring, awareness raising, and ecotourism development.
During the meeting, I referred to the programs implemented in bilateral cooperation and views on mutual interest. In particular, reference was made to the "Caucasian red deer resettlement project in Armenia" initiated by the Ministry of Environment and the Armenian branch of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 2013. The Caucasus Nature Foundation (CNF) also took an active part in implementing the project.
The deputy minister spoke about the individuals released into nature, which recently came to the public's attention. The issue of ecological corridors was discussed. In five years, works were carried out in 30 rural settlements of 3 regions: Ararat, Syunik, and Vayots Dzor focusing the attention of the local population on environmental issues.
The legislative reforms related to the specially protected areas of nature were presented to the partners, which are also associated with the involvement of communities in preserving the specially protected areas of wilderness.
At the end of the meeting, the minister once again referred to the cooperation with the foundation in the biodiversity conservation and restoration field, calling it effective and established. An agreement was reached to continue and deepen cooperation in environmental protection.
