ISEC NAS RA Co-organizes the "Youth for Biodiversity: Towards CBD COP17" Initiative

June 16, 2026

The International Scientific-Educational Center of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (ISEC NAS RA), remaining true to its mission of promoting environmental education and developing scientific potential, has joined a new initiative. In cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund Armenia (WWF-Armenia) and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the RA, the "Youth for Biodiversity: Towards CBD COP17" project has been launched.

Within the framework of the initiative, a series of regional training sessions has commenced. Ahead of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), the project aims to enhance young people's knowledge and foster their active participation in biodiversity conservation.

The initiative is funded by WWF-Armenia.

Professional Involvement of ISEC

To ensure the substantive and scientific-educational components of the project, the Department of Plant Diversity and Ecosystem Studies of ISEC NAS RA is actively involved, led by the Head of the Department, PhD in Biology, Associate Professor Alla Aleksanyan. The professional capacity and expertise of the department are of vital importance in raising environmental literacy among the youth.

The training courses and practical simulations, conducted with the direct involvement of ISEC specialists, are designed to form a new community of young people capable of actively participating in environmental decision-making and biodiversity conservation efforts.

Project Progress and Geography

The first training sessions have already been successfully held in the cities of Armavir, Vayk, Kapan, Goris, and Meghri, utilizing the community youth centers operating under the Ministry of ESCS of the RA.

In the coming weeks, around 400 young people from 20 youth centers across various regions of Armenia will have the opportunity to participate in:

• Training courses on biodiversity conservation and environmental challenges,
• Interactive educational games,
• International environmental processes and negotiation simulations.

The most active and engaged participants throughout the project will get the chance to expand their knowledge within a large-scale workshop organized by WWF-Armenia in cooperation with international partners.

ISEC NAS RA continues to play an active role in all stages of the project, contributing to the creation of a sustainable environmental future in Armenia.

ISEC NAS RA Public Relations and Career Department