By Abbas Nazil
The American University of Armenia (AUA) Acopian Center for the Environment has officially become a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a move that strengthens its role in environmental protection and sustainable development in Armenia and beyond.
For more than twenty years, the AUA Acopian Center has been leading environmental research, education, and policy dialogue, contributing significantly to biodiversity protection, sustainable resource management, renewable energy, and community-focused urban planning.
By joining IUCN, the Center is expanding its collaboration with the global conservation community, opening new opportunities to contribute expertise and deepen partnerships.
Alen Gasparian Amirkhanian, Director of the Center, described the membership as a milestone that connects Armenia with the world’s leading conservation network.
He noted that the partnership will enhance the Center’s ability to address Armenia’s pressing environmental challenges, while amplifying its voice on international platforms.
Dr Arsen Gasparyan, the Center’s biodiversity expert, emphasized that the membership comes at a critical moment as Armenia prepares to host the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP17 in 2026.
He explained that the new status will strengthen Armenia’s capacity to implement conservation projects, advance ecosystem restoration, and support global biodiversity goals.
The Center already has experience working with IUCN, particularly through the Green Agenda Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine (GUMA) initiative, which focused on biodiversity policy integration.
This new membership builds on that cooperation and offers wider engagement across IUCN’s global programmes.
Guided by its vision of harmonising people and nature, the AUA Acopian Center remains dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity, promoting renewable energy and sustainable resource use, and nurturing future environmental leaders.
Its IUCN membership serves as a platform to elevate these efforts and further position Armenia as a key contributor to global conservation.
