Cbd third National Report Armenia (English version)

Article 8(j) - Traditional knowledge and related provisions

GURTS

Has your country created and developed capacity-building programmes to involve and enable smallholder farmers, indigenous and local communities, and other relevant stakeholders to effectively participate in decision-making processes related to genetic use restriction technologies?
No	X
No, but some programmes are under development
Yes, some programmes are in place (please provide details below)
Yes, comprehensive programmes are in place (please provide details below)
Further comments on capacity-building programmes to involve and enable smallholder farmers, indigenous and local communities and other relevant stakeholders to effectively participate in decision-making processes related to GURTs.

Status and Trends

Has your country supported indigenous and local communities in undertaking field studies to determine the status, trends and threats related to the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities? (decision VII/16)
No	X
No, but support to relevant studies is being considered
Yes (please provide information on the studies undertaken)
Further information on the studies undertaken to determine the status, trends and threats related to the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities, and priority actions identified.

Akwé:Kon Guidelines

Has your country initiated a legal and institutional review of matters related to cultural, environmental and social impact assessment, with a view to incorporating the Akwé:Kon Guidelines into national legislation, policies, and procedures?
No	X
No, but review is under way
Yes, a review undertaken (please provide details on the review)
Further information on the review.

Has your country used the Akwé:Kon Guidelines in any project proposed to take place on sacred sites and/or land and waters traditionally occupied by indigenous and local communities? (decision VII/16)
No	X
No, but a review of the Akwé: Kon guidelines is under way
Yes, to some extent (please provide details below)
Yes, to a significant extent (please provide details below)
Further information on the projects where the Akwé:Kon Guidelines are applied.

Capacity Building and Participation of Indigenous and Local Communities

Has your country undertaken any measures to enhance and strengthen the capacity of indigenous and local communities to be effectively involved in decision-making related to the use of their traditional knowledge, innovations and practices relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity? (decision V/16)
No
No, but some programmes being developed	X
Yes, some measures taken (please provide details below)
Yes, comprehensive measures taken (please provide details below)
Further information on the measures to enhance and strengthen the capacity of indigenous and local communities.
In 2004-2005 the participatory process of development of the management plans for “Sevan” and “Dilijan” National Parks as well as five forest enterprises is initiated, which has been carried out by direct involvement of local communities through consideration of the indigenous knowledge, traditions and skills. The Forest Code of the Republic of Armenia adopted in 2005 contains provisions on establishment and management of community forests.

Has your country developed appropriate mechanisms, guidelines, legislation or other initiatives to foster and promote the effective participation of indigenous and local communities in decision making, policy planning and development and implementation of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity at international, regional, subregional, national and local levels? (decision V/16)
No
No, but relevant mechanisms, guidelines and legislation are under development	X (refer to question 61)
Yes, some mechanisms, guidelines and legislation are in place (please provide details below)
Further information on the mechanisms, guidelines and legislation developed.
Armenia has a signatory of Aurhus Convention since 2001. By assistance of OSCE four Public Environmental Information Centers have been established in 4 marzes to meet the obligations of the Convention. Memorandum on establishment of such centers is signed by the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia and corresponding marz administrations. Centers are furnished with appropriate equipment, computers, and library and actively involve representatives of local communities into decision-making in the field of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use as well as planning and implementation of relevant activities. Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Environmental Impact Expertise” (1995) requires public notification on proposed activity and conduction of a three-step public hearing in order to involve the public in decision-making process. Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Local Self-Governance” defines that local legislative body has a right to require community-relevant information from State bodies and individual authorities. Head of the community, within his/her responsibilities, promotes implementation of measures for conservation and sustainable use of minerals, forests, water resources, atmospheric air, as well as flora and fauna species.

Has your country developed mechanisms for promoting the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities with specific provisions for the full, active and effective participation of women in all elements of the programme of work? (decision V/16, annex)
No	X
No, but relevant mechanisms are being developed
Yes, mechanisms are in place (please provide details below)
Further comments on the mechanisms for promoting the full and effective participation of women of indigenous and local communities in all elements of the programme of work.