Cbd third National Report Armenia (English version)

Article 16 - Access to and transfer of technology

◊ On Article 16(1), has your country taken measures to provide or facilitate access for and transfer to other Parties of technologies that are relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity or make use of genetic resources and do not cause significant damage to the environment?
No
No, but potential measures are under review
Yes, some measures are in place (please provide details below)	X
Yes, comprehensive measures are in place (please provide details below)
Further information on the measures to provide or facilitate access for and transfer to other Parties of technologies that are relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity or make use of genetic resources and do not cause significant damage to the environment.
The “Re-introduction of Bezoar Goat in its natural habitats” project funded and coordinated by WWF has made a significant advance in the field of use of genetic resources and technology transfer. According to the Government Resolution (since the species is recorded in the Red Book) 15 individuals of Bezoar goat have been hunted and maintained in ex-situ conditions in Armenia. In 2006 they will be given to Georgia in order to re-introduce in Borjomi-Khalagauli National Park. It is intended to re-introduce deerstag from Georgia into Dilijan National Park. The existing technologies on mentioned genetic resources are jointly accessible for both cooperating parties. In 2005 a Memorandum on Cooperation between Armenia and WWF was signed, which includes all necessary provisions.

◊ On Article 16(3), has your country taken measures so that Parties which provide genetic resources are provided access to and transfer of technology which make use of those resources, on mutually agreed terms?
No
No, but potential measures are under review	X
Yes, some measures are in place
Yes, comprehensive legislation is in place
Yes, comprehensive statutory policy or subsidiary legislation are in place
Yes, comprehensive policy and administrative arrangements are in place
Not applicable

◊ On Article 16(4), has your country taken measures so that the private sector facilitates access to joint development and transfer of relevant technology for the benefit of Government institutions and the private sector of developing countries?
No	X
No, but potential measures are under review
Yes, some policies and measures are in place (please provide details below)
Yes, comprehensive policies and measures are in place (please provide details below)
Not applicable
Further information on the measures taken.
The privatized fisheries of Ararat marz and Jermuk town assist in the ex-situ conservation of the Gegharkuni and summer bakhtak sub-species of the Lake Sevan salmon by maintaining the mothernal flock of the mentioned sub-species. Ministry of Nature Protection uses privately-owned genetic resources to meet the objectives of the “Collection, incubation, obtaining larvae, growth and young fish let out of the summer bakhtak sub-species to the Lake Sevan” activity.

55. 
    
    

Please elaborate below on the implementation of this article specifically focusing on: outcomes and impacts of actions taken; contribution to the achievement of the goals of the Strategic Plan of the Convention; contribution to progress towards the 2010 target; progress in implementing national biodiversity strategies and action plans; contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; constraints encountered in implementation.

Programme of Work on transfer of technology and technology cooperation

Has your country provided financial and technical support and training to assist in the implementation of the programme of work on transfer of technology and technology cooperation? (decision VII/29)
No
No, but relevant programmes are under development
Yes, some programmes being implemented (please provide details below)	X
Yes, comprehensive programmes being implemented (please provide details below)
Further comments on the provision of financial and technical support and training to assist in the implementation of the programme of work on transfer of technology and technology cooperation.
Faculty of Biology of Yerevan State University prepares master-degree students in food safety and biotechnologies (average 10 specialists per year).

Is your country taking any measures to remove unnecessary impediments to funding of multi-country initiatives for technology transfer and for scientific and technical cooperation? (decision VII/29)
No	X
No, but some measures being considered
Yes, some measures are in place (please provide details below)
Yes, comprehensive measures are in place (please provide details below)
Further comments on the measures to remove unnecessary impediments to funding of multi-country initiatives for technology transfer and for scientific and technical cooperation.

Has your country made any technology assessments addressing technology needs, opportunities and barriers in relevant sectors as well as related needs in capacity building? (annex to decision VII/29)
No
No, but assessments are under way
Yes, basic assessments undertaken (please provide details below)	X
Yes, thorough assessments undertaken (please provide details below)
Further comments on technology assessments addressing technology needs, opportunities and barriers in relevant sectors as well as related needs in capacity building.
In the framework of the “Armenian National Capacity Self-assessment for Global Environmental Management” project the functions, capacities, needs and level of cooperation among the existing stakeholder organizations in the field of new technology development, application and transfer have been assessed. This analysis has been implemented in corresponding cross-cutting sectors by identifying next steps for promoting investments in new technology use and transfer for each of them

Has your country made any assessments and risk analysis of the potential benefits, risks and associated costs with the introduction of new technologies? (annex to decision VII/29)
No
No, but assessments are under way
Yes, some assessments undertaken (please provide details below)	X
Yes, comprehensive assessments undertaken (please provide details below)
Further comments on the assessments and risk analysis of the potential benefits, risks and associated costs with the introduction of new technologies.
In the framework of the “Development of National Biosafety Framework of Armenia” project assessment of the risks related to application of new biotechnologies was implemented and some recommendations were made on institutional capacity building for risk assessment and risk management, taking into consideration existing constraints in financial, technical and human resources.

Has your country identified and implemented any measures to develop or strengthen appropriate information systems for technology transfer and cooperation, including assessing capacity building needs? (annex to decision VII/29)
No
No, but some programmes are under development	X
Yes, some programmes are in place and being implemented (please provide details below)
Yes, comprehensive programmes are being implemented (please provide details below)
Further comments on measures to develop or strengthen appropriate information systems for technology transfer and cooperation.
By the Government Resolution #880 (January 18, 2005) the list of cross-cutting activities of the three environmental conventions was adopted. It contains an activity on “Construction of a system of technology development, transfer, and application for promoting implementation of the Conventions, including design of national information clearing house mechanisms and electronic databases” In the framework of the “In situ Conservation of Crop Wild Relatives through Strengthening of Information Management and Use of Modern Technologies” project a national information system on crop wild relatives is to be constructed until 2008, which will be integrated into the international information system with participation of other four countries.

Has your country taken any of the measures specified under Target 3.2 of the programme of work as a preparatory phase to the development and implementation of national institutional, administrative, legislative and policy frameworks to facilitate cooperation as well as access to and adaptation of technologies of relevance to the Convention? (annex to decision VII/29)
No
No, but a few measures being considered
Yes, some measures taken (please specify below)	X
Yes, many measures taken (please specify below)
Further comments on the measures taken as a preparatory phase to the development and implementation of national institutional, administrative, legislative and policy frameworks to facilitate cooperation as well as access to and adaptation of technologies of relevance to the Convention.
In the framework of the “Development of National Biosafety Framework of Armenia” project the draft “Law on Living Modified Organisms” was prepared, which provides a ground for development of national, administrative, legislative and institutional systems in the field of biosafety. Particularly, the rights and obligations of the National authorized body for LMO use, transfer, transport, import, export and risk assessment monitoring will be legislatively bounded.

56. 
    
    

Please elaborate below on the implementation of this article and associated decisions specifically focusing on: outcomes and impacts of actions taken; contribution to the achievement of the goals of the Strategic Plan of the Convention; contribution to progress towards the 2010 target; progress in implementing national biodiversity strategies and action plans; contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; constraints encountered in implementation.

Article 17 - Exchange of information

◊ On Article 17(1), has your country taken measures to facilitate the exchange of information from publicly available sources with a view to assist with the implementation of the Convention and promote technical and scientific cooperation?
No
No, but potential measures are under review
Yes, some measures are in place	X
Yes, comprehensive measures are in place

The following question (127) is for DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

◊ On Article 17(1), do these measures take into account the special needs of developing countries and include the categories of information listed in Article 17(2), such as technical, scientific and socio-economic research, training and surveying programmes, specialized knowledge, repatriation of information and so on?
No
Yes, but they do not include the categories of information listed in Article 17(2), such as technical, scientific and socio-economic research, training and surveying programmes, specialized knowledge, repatriation of information and so on
Yes, and they include categories of information listed in Article 17 (2), such as technical, scientific and socio-economic research, training and surveying programmes, specialized knowledge, repatriation of information and so on

57. 
    
    

Please elaborate below on the implementation of this article and associated decisions specifically focusing on: outcomes and impacts of actions taken; contribution to the achievement of the goals of the Strategic Plan of the Convention; contribution to progress towards the 2010 target; progress in implementing national biodiversity strategies and action plans; contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; constraints encountered in implementation.

To develop databases on biodiversity the “Armenian National Capacity Self-assessment for Global Environmental Management” project conducted a series of trainings and installed GIS equipment in stakeholder institutions. Design of databases has been prepared by the assistance of “Developpment of databases, GIS and programic documents for establishemt of biosphere reserves in the South Caucasus” project financed by UNESCO Japan Fund. Their actual construction will be implemented through projects financed by WWF such as “Preparation of baseline data on invertibrates for national Red Book and development of IUCN Red List for Caucasus” project. It is worthy to mention also published materials of joint scientific research, such as volumes on South Caucasus fauna, joint research on the fauna of Nagorno-Karabakh, proceedings of regional and international conferences. Publication of multi-volume “Flora of Armenia” reference book is underway in Russian. Preparation of the “Index on Armenian Plants” reference book is initiated in Armenian, Russian and English. The following thematic databases has been developed or are in the process of development in Armenia scientific institutions: Armenian Flora Red Book of Armenia Endemic species of Armenian flora Macro-fungi Terrestrial vertebrate animals of state reserves and national parks Collection of republican bacteriological depository Wild wheat and edible plants of Armenia Crop wild relatives Electronic catalog of Armenian seed collections

Article 18 - Technical and scientific cooperation

◊ On Article 18(1), has your country taken measures to promote international technical and scientific cooperation in the field of conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity?
No
No, but potential measures are under review
Yes, some measures are in place (please provide details below)	X
Yes, comprehensive measures are in place (please provide details below)
Further information on the measures to promote international technical and scientific cooperation.
Armenia with its rich and unique biodiversity, rich genetic resources is considered a country of great interest for international and regional cooperation. The main areas of international scientific-technical cooperation include in-situ research on biodiversity, endemic flora and fauna species and their characteristics, as well as possibilities for use of genetic resources. Broad and free access to collections for scientific and educational purposes is ensured in Armenia, which promotes research on country’s genetic resources at local and international levels. Therefore, it is worthy to mention that a number of environmental projects emphasize their activities on development of mechanisms for flora and fauna investigations, their conservation, and sustainable use of bioresources. Such projects are intended to implement with Germany, Czech Republic, Iran, and Georgia. They are focused on establishment of new protected areas, particularly from transboundary perspective. Armenia, along with other 4 countries, namely Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Bolivia and Madagascar, is involved in the “In-situ Conservation of Crop Wild Relatives through Strengthening of Information Management and Use of Modern Technologies” project due to rich genetic resources maintained in the country (refer also to question 9).

◊ On Article 18(4), has your country encouraged and developed methods of cooperation for the development and use of technologies, including indigenous and traditional technologies, in pursuance of the objectives of this Convention?
No
No, but relevant methods are under development	X
Yes, methods are in place

◊ On Article 18(5), has your country promoted the establishment of joint research programmes and joint ventures for the development of technologies relevant to the objectives of the Convention?
No	X
Yes (please provide some examples below)
Examples for the establishment of joint research programmes and joint ventures for the development of technologies relevant to the objectives of the Convention.

Has your country established links to non-governmental organizations, private sector and other institutions holding important databases or undertaking significant work on biological diversity through the CHM? (decision V/14)
No	X
No, but coordination with relevant NGOs, private sector and other institutions under way
Yes, links established with relevant NGOs, private sector and institutions

The following question (132) is for DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

Has your country further developed the CHM to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition to gain access to information in the field of scientific and technical cooperation? (decision V/14)
No
Yes, by using funding opportunities
Yes, by means of access to, and transfer of technology
Yes, by using research cooperation facilities
Yes, by using repatriation of information
Yes, by using training opportunities
Yes, by using promotion of contacts with relevant institutions, organizations and the private sector
Yes, by using other means (please specify below)
Further comments on CHM developments to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition to gain access to information in the field of scientific and technical cooperation.

Has your country used CHM to make information available more useful for researchers and decision-makers? (decision V/14)
No	X
No, but relevant initiatives under consideration
Yes (please provide details below)
Further comments on development of relevant initiatives.
From the viewpoint of data access and information exchange on biodiversity, the establishment of Biodiversity Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM) structures in 2002 can be considered an important step. It resulted to the construction on “Biodiversity of Armenia” internet site (URL: http://www.biodiv.am). However, the activities of this field are currently halted due to lack of such function in the charter of the respective subdivision of the Ministry of Nature Protection. Thus, nomination of CHM National Focal Point and conduction of awareness raising activities on the importance of CHM at different levels are priority actions. The recommended further steps to restore operationability of CHM structure in the country are: (1) periodical update of the internet site; (2) development of the information system on Armenian biodiversity; (3) integration of the constructed information system into the CHM national web site

Has your country developed, provided and shared services and tools to enhance and facilitate the implementation of the CHM and further improve synergies among biodiversity-related Conventions? (decision V/14)
No	X
Yes (please specify services and tools below)
Further comments on services and tools to enhance and facilitate the implementation of CHM and further improve synergies among biodiversity-related Conventions.
To rehabilitate CHM activities in the country it is neccessary to update the content information of the website constructed under the “Assessment of Priority Capacity Needs for Biodiversity Conservation and Establishment of Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM) Structures” project.

58. 
    
    

Please elaborate below on the implementation of this article and associated decisions specifically focusing on: outcomes and impacts of actions taken; contribution to the achievement of the goals of the Strategic Plan of the Convention; contribution to progress towards the 2010 target; progress in implementing national biodiversity strategies and action plans; contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; constraints encountered in implementation.

Article 19 - Handling of biotechnology and distribution of its benefits

◊ On Article 19(1), has your country taken measures to provide for the effective participation in biotechnological research activities by those Contracting Parties which provide the genetic resources for such research?
No
No, but potential measures are under review
Yes, some measures are in place	X
Yes, comprehensive legislation are in place
Yes, comprehensive statutory policy and subsidiary legislation are in place
Yes, comprehensive policy and administrative measures are in place

◊ On Article 19(2), has your country taken all practicable measures to promote and advance priority access by Parties, on a fair and equitable basis, to the results and benefits arising from biotechnologies based upon genetic resources provided by those Parties?
No
No, but potential measures are under review
Yes, some measures are in place	X
Yes, comprehensive measures are in place

59. 
    
    

Please elaborate below on the implementation of this article and associated decisions specifically focusing on: outcomes and impacts of actions taken; contribution to the achievement of the goals of the Strategic Plan of the Convention; contribution to progress towards the 2010 target; progress in implementing national biodiversity strategies and action plans; contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; constraints encountered in implementation.

Article 20 – Financial resources

60. 
    
    

Please describe for each of the following items the quantity of financial resources, both internal and external, that have been utilized, received or provided, as applicable, to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity, on an annual basis, since your country became a Party to the Convention.
Budgetary allocations by national and local Governments as well as different sectoral ministries	Field By years (thou. USD) Conservation of forests 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 9,4 282,2 212,1 242,1 203,9 127,8 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 201,5 206,6 198,8 177,4 350,9 1336,5 Conservation of protected areas 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2,5 83,6 69,0 85,6 128,0 233,8 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 126,2 260,2 253,8 302,2 331,2 410,5 Reproduction and inventory of fish resources 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 No data No data No data No data 34,7 11,1 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 0,0 16,6 12,2 17,3 26,2 29,5
Extra-budgetary resources (identified by donor agencies)	Field By years (thou. USD) Conservation of forests 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 24,5 864,3 749,9 819,7 610,8 720,9 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 1233 1157 1347 1852 2148 2160 Conservation of protected areas 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 No data No data No data No data No data No data 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 No data No data No data 89,3 148,5 211,9 Forest Restoration and Development Fund 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 - - - - - - 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 - - - - - 651,1
Bilateral channels (identified by donor agencies)	By years (thou. USD) Loan projects 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 0,0 0,0 76,6 357 1437 3458 International projects 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 0,0 0,0 190,0 220,0 261,0 108,8 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 218,3 603,4 161,3 443,1 174,4 496,0 Including Year ‘000 USD “Preparation of First National Report on Biodiversity, and National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan” (UNDP-GEF) 1997-1999 174,8 “Development of full project proposal for conservation And sustainable use of Agro-biodiversity in Armenia” (UNDP-GEF) 1998-1999 97,5 “Assessment of Priority Capacity Needs for Biodiversity Conservation and Establishment of Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM) Structures” (UNDP-GEF) 2001-2002 143,1 “Development of the vision for Ecoregional Plan for Environmental Protection in Caucasus and Preparation of Priorities for nature and biodiversity conservation” project development phase (BMZ) 2002-2003 166.6 “Natural Resources Management and Poverty Reduction”– project development phase (WB) 2000-2001 549.8 “Development of National Biosafety Framework” (UNEP-GEF) 2003-2004 156.0 “In-situ Conservation of Crop Wild Relatives through Strengthening of Information Management and Use of Modern Technologies” (UNDP-GEF) 2005 226.0 Local Agenda - 21 2003- 2005 200.0 “Strengthening of the conservation regime in ‘Khosrov forest’ state reserve” WWF-CEPF 2003-2005 33.0 “Strengthening of the conservation regime in ‘Shikahogh’ state reserve” WWF-CEPF 2003-2005 41.0 “Assistance in establishment of ‘Arevik’ protected area in Northern Armenia” CEPF 2005 150.0
Regional channels (identified by donor agencies)
Multilateral channels (identified by donor agencies)
Private sources (identified by donor agencies)	None
Resources generated through financial instruments, such as charges for use of biodiversity	1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Natural resource fees (thou. USD) 83,2 208,7 158,4 153,3 193,2 252,9 200,1

61. 
    
    

Please describe in detail below any major financing programmes, such as biodiversity trust funds or specific programmes that have been established in your country.

◊ On Article 20(1), has your country provided financial support and incentives to those national activities that are intended to achieve the objectives of the Convention?
No
Yes, incentives only (please provide a list of such incentives below)
Yes, financial support only
Yes, financial support and incentives (please provide details below)	X
Further comments on financial support and incentives provided.
The following incentive mechanisms are in action for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and its components in Armenia: exemption 1. Tax privileges and/or other incentives. a/. Exemption from land tax: According to “Law on Land Taxation” (1994), the state reserves and reservations, national parks, municipal parks, botanical gardens and lands under state forests are exempt from land tax. b/. Privileges on income tax: According to “Law on Income Taxation” (1997), the agricultural products, including products and industries related to conservation of biodiversity or its components, are exempt from income tax. These include: seeds of trees and bushes; seedlings of trees and bushes; bushes; fish industries; bee breeding c/. Privileges on VAT: According to “Law on Value Added Tax” (1997), the realization of agricultural products (seedlings and saplings of trees and bushes, young fish, etc.), produced in Armenia is exempt from VAT. 2. Financial mechanisms. from state budget sources a/. Support of the state to State non commeracial organizations implementing biodiversity conservation, (protected areas, forest fund, etc.) b/. Financing of the activities aimed at restoration of Lake Sevan ecosystem (construction of hydrotechnical structures for increasing the level of the lake, activities to combat desertification, activities to restore endemic fish species, etc.) from non-state budget sources a/. Forest Restoration and Development Fund b/. Special Environmental Conservation account of the Central bank c/. Environmental Purposeful Fund d/. Financial mechanisms envisaged at “Law on Purposeful Use of Environmental Fees Paid by Companies”.

The next question (138) is for DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

◊ On Article 20(2), has your country provided new and additional financial resources to enable developing country Parties to meet the agreed incremental costs to them of implementing measures which fulfill the obligations of the Convention?
No
Yes (please indicate the amount, on an annual basis, of new and additional financial resources your country has provided)
Further comments on new and additional financial resources provided.

The next question (139) is for DEVELOPING COUNTRIES OR COUNTRIES WITH ECONOMIES IN TRANSITION

◊ On Article 20(2), has your country received new and additional financial resources to enable it to meet the agreed full incremental costs of implementing measures which fulfill the obligations of the Convention?
No	X
Yes

◊ Has your country established a process to monitor financial support to biodiversity, including support provided by the private sector? (decision V/11)
No
No, but procedures being established	X
Yes (please provide details below)
Further comments on processes to monitor financial support to biodiversity, including support provided by the private sector.

◊ Has your country considered any measures like tax exemptions in national taxation systems to encourage financial support to biodiversity? (decision V/11)
No
No, but exemptions are under development (please provide details below)
Yes, exemptions are in place (please provide details below)	X
Further comments on tax exemptions for biodiversity-related donations.
Tax privileges and/or other incentives: the Protected areas and organizations implementing conservation of lands under state forests are exempt from land tax. Some privileges are intended to be applied for “Sevan” and “Dilijan” National Parks that should be included in their Management Plans currently under development. Particularly, it is intended to implement activities that ensure more community-based and participatory approach in the issues related to natural resources use, including development of mechanisms for economic incentives.

Has your country reviewed national budgets and monetary policies, including the effectiveness of official development assistance allocated to biodiversity, with particular attention paid to positive incentives and their performance as well as perverse incentives and ways and means for their removal or mitigation? (decision VI/16)
No
No, but review is under way
Yes (please provide results of review below)	X
Further comments on review of national budgets and monetary policies, including the effectiveness of official development assistance.
The dynamics and trends of the financing of activities aimed at environment conservation (including conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and its components) are regularly evaluated by NEAP Special Working Group under the OECD umbrella.

Is your country taking concrete actions to review and further integrate biodiversity considerations in the development and implementation of major international development initiatives, as well as in national sustainable development plans and relevant sectoral policies and plans? (decisions VI/16 and VII/21)
No
No, but review is under way
Yes, in some initiatives and plans (please provide details below)	X
Yes, in major initiatives and plans (please provide details below)
Further comments on review and integration of biodiversity considerations in relevant initiatives, policies and plans.
Similar actions were envisaged in the National Environmental Action Plan (1998). They will be reviewed and updated during the preparation of the second NEAP (2006-2007).

Is your country enhancing the integration of biological diversity into the sectoral development and assistance programmes? (decision VII/21)
No
No, but relevant programmes are under development
Yes, into some sectoral development and assistance programmes (please provide details below)	X
Yes, into major sectoral development and assistance programmes (please provide details below)
Further comments on the integration of biodiversity into sectoral development and assistance programmes
“Strategic Paper on Food Safety Policy of the Republic of Armenia” was approved by a Governmental Protocol #3 (January 25, 2005). Its VIII section, namely “Policy of natural resources effective use”, contains the following provision “The main objective of conservation and sustainable use of bioresources is prevention or reduction of the harmful impact on biodiversity”.