The ideology of the international movement “ICCA Consortium” (Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas) asserts that communities themselves are the best protectors of nature, and that the best results can only be achieved through the active involvement of local residents.

Thanks to the efforts of the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), a regional conference of the ICCA Consortium is currently taking place in Armenia, bringing together guests from different parts of the world.

Today marks the third day of the conference. Its main goal is to support Armenian communities in becoming part of the large ICCA family and being recognized as “Territories of Life,” as well as to facilitate experience exchange through direct interaction and training sessions.

The Vardahovit community in Vayots Dzor is the first in Armenia to express its intention to become a “Territory of Life” and join this rapidly growing community-driven movement.

The core idea of the ICCA Consortium is to ensure the integrity of protected natural areas through community development, by making local residents active participants in conservation efforts and by promoting alternative, sustainable ways for people to benefit from, appreciate, and protect nature.

The Director of the ICCA Consortium, Teodoro Brawner Baguilat Jr., stated:
“We are in Armenia to develop an action plan through which we will identify the ‘Territories of Life’ we will work with, and to gain recognition from the government, society, and local communities. We are also here to inspire and guide participants from the region.”

According to the Consortium’s philosophy, state-managed protected areas are no longer the most effective on their own. Conservation becomes more effective when local communities are involved, reducing pressure on natural resources while maximizing benefits for both nature and people.

The implementation of ICCA principles also offers advantages for the state, as it helps share the burden of conservation and ensures more sustainable and efficient use of natural resources.

The conference is also attended by local participants from Armenia. Armine Israelyan, tourism expert at GIZ Armenia, emphasized the importance of such conferences, stating:
“Protected areas are widely recognized as popular tourism destinations worldwide, including in Armenia. However, both globally and locally, when using these areas for tourism, sustainability must be considered — they should be used in a way that does not harm nature. But how? During this conference, I hope to hear answers to this question from representatives of different countries. I am also interested in seeing how these approaches can be implemented in Armenia. Earlier, one expert shared an example from Central Asia where people enter a protected area without shoes and are not allowed to speak at all. Implementing such ideas in Armenia is quite realistic, as we have strong professionals and dedicated people in the tourism sector who prioritize responsibility over profit. I am hopeful that these ideas will be adopted here, and that such conferences are truly effective.”