Despite its rich biodiversity, Armenia is a lightly forested country with only 332,332 ha or 11.1% of its territory covered by forests, concentrated mainly in Tavush, Lori, and Syunik regions. Between 2001 and 2020, Armenia lost around 110 ha of forest per year. The main causes of deforestation and forest degradation are linked to the illegal logging, fuelwood collection, overgrazing and mining. Armenia’s forests also face significant regeneration challenges, worsened by climate change-induced water scarcity and droughts.
Sustainable forest management is key to adapting Armenia’s forests to a changing climate. To support the country in this direction the World Bank, within the EU-funded EU4Environment Programme, has launched several activities on conservation and sustainable forestry and timber trade.
As part of its conducted work, the World Bank has been working towards the development and implementation of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) certification that could ensure the responsible use and conservation of its forest resources. The programme has developed a roadmap and recommendations for implementing SFM certification in Armenia that may help the country fight against illegal logging, enhance market opportunities for certified forest products, and improve the overall forest management.
The Programme is also facilitating the introduction of timber trade control in the country. A wood/timber tracking system (WTS) would allow the tracking and tracing of itemised wood products back to source, enhance transparency in the supply chain, and help prevent illegal logging and trade countrywide. Overall benefits can enhance revenue generation for the timber sector (by eliminating illegal logging and trade that undermine market prices) and from the timber sector for the Government and the nation, in terms of taxes, other revenues and job creation.
Through these collaborative efforts, the conducted activities will foster sustainable forest management, prevent illegal logging, and protect both people and nature in Armenia.