The Caucasus Region was nominated by Conservation International as one of the 34 identified biodiversity hotspots worldwide. This means that the Caucasus is of global importance for the survival of an enormous number of plant and animal species and it needs joint efforts to conserve this richness for future generations.

Also outstanding is the variety of traditional use of biodiversity in the Caucasus. Therefore it is a challenge to benefit from that knowledge and increase the economic importance of biodiversity products by refining them and promoting them to more attractive markets. Creating new values could significantly contribute to reduce rural poverty.

Increasing the benefits from the use of biodiversity and making the current use more sustainable will support the protection of biodiversity two-fold: By reducing negative impacts on biodiversity and by increasing the value of biodiversity and therefore increase the motivation to preserve our natural resources.

With respect to the high importance and value of biodiversity in the Caucasus Region the Governments of the 3 States - Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, agreed to cooperate with the German Government in the Sustainable Management of Biodiversity (SMB) Programme implemented by GIZ (2009-2016). 

The partners for the implementation of SMB Programme in Armenia are the Ministry of Territorial Administration, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Nature Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as communities in rural areas and NGOs.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)