The Deputy Head of the Department of the Strategic Policy of the Ministry of Environment Artur Kavalyan and Chief specialist of Department of Land and Underground Resources Narine Hakobyan in Uzbekistan took part in the International Conference "Global Geoparks: potential and opportunities".
During the conference, the potential of geoparks, the possibilities of creation, the structure of the governing body and the conditions for joining the UNESCO Global Geoparks were discussed.
Representatives of the Armenian delegation held meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Environment of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, the Geological Agency and international experts of #UNESCO. A preliminary agreement was reached on a possible visit to Armenia, as well as on holding remote consultations.
An agreement was reached on the formation of the management body of the geopark created in Armenia in the near future, the development of an action program for the next three, five and ten years, and the intensification of cooperation with the Institute of Geological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.
It should be mentioned, that it is planned to create a geopark in Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions.
The first geopark of Armenia will cover an area of about 4,400 km2 of territory, which corresponds to 14.7% of the territory of the Republic of Armenia. It includes 102 communal territories. The relief is mountainous and includes absolute heights of 1019-3595 m. There are 6 climate sub-zones, ranging from dry land (hot summers and cold winters) to mountain tundra.
The creation of geoparks will contribute to increasing the recognition of Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions, will promote the formation and rooting of eco-culture and ecological culture in the regions, correct and reasonable orientation and formation of human behavior in the field of environmental protection, nature management and environmental safety.