Armenia is one of the oldest centers of civilization, with its unique natural, cultural and historical heritage.

The favorable geographical location, in subtropical, arid and continental zone of Northern hemisphere as well as extreme diversity of geological composition, landscape and relief had predetermined rich and unique biodiveristy in Armenia. The major factors of existence of rich biodiversity are as follows:

· Armenia, occupying the part of Armenian highland is located on the borderline of development of different floristic and faunal areas in the region.
· Armenia is one of the areas of resting and hosting of migratory birds.
· The country is on cross-way of different migratory species.
· The rich diversity of habitats, ranging in altitudes from 375 to 4095 meters above sea level and existence of 7 landscape types, with its unique flora and fauna.

Due to diverse climatic conditions, some 3500 species of vascular plants, more than 17500 species of animals, of which 500 - vertebrates species are found in Armenia. The quantity of lower plants and micro-organisms exceeds some tens thousands. The density of higher flora species per square kilometer - more than 100 species is one of the highest in the world. Besides, the biodiversity of Armenia is rich in endemic, relict and rare species.

Armenia is considered the one of major centers of agrobiodiversity in the world. It is the largest area hosting wild relatives of crops and genetic resources. Over 5-6 centuries Armenia actively utilizes the richness of its biological resources. Due to this, some changes occurred in quantitative parameters of bioviversity, certain relationships were built between human and biodiversity.

The biodiversity and biological resources in Armenia are recognized as the basis of economic growth and development of human environment. The particular role belongs to forest habitats, which are covering only 10-11% of total area. On the other hand, forests are responsible for regulation of climate, water balance, heat circulation, as well as are playing significant role in tackling the problem of soil erosion.

Forests are the most important source of industrial, agricultural and food resources. The crucial biological resources are natural pastures and heylands, which occupy 1/3 of total area in the country and are widely used for agriculture. Armenia is one of fist countries in the world with most intensive use of pastures and heylands.

The landscape and biological diversity is of crucial importance for our planet, and biological resources are responsible for sustaining the life, human as well as economic and social development. Therefore, biodiversity conservation is the issue of global priority, it cannot be limited by national boundaries and requires international attention.

The international community realizing the importance of biodiversity conservation and promoted the signing of International Convention on Biodiversity in 1992 in Rio De Janeiro. some 180 countries had jointed the convention.

The convention on biodiversity is the recognition of international community of importance to follow the principles of sustainable development. The main objective of convention is biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity components, joint utilization of genetic resources, including free access to genetic resources and technologies, providing of necessary funding.

According to the objectives of conventions, the biodiversity conservation is one of major prerequisites for achieving sustainable development in global scale.

The problem of biodiversity conservation is especially difficult in extreme natural conditions and highly utilized area by human. This is relevant to Republic of Armenia.
The President of Republic of Armenia signed the convention on biodiversity in Rio De Janeiro and National Assembly of Armenia ratified it on May 14, 1993.

The intensive and non-regulated use of biodiversity in Armenia as well as economic situation and political transformation, resulted in social tension have adversely affected the status of biodiveristy in the country. It caused the problem of biodiversity sustainable use and its natural recovering.

The institutional set-up and legal and regulatory framework are non-relevant to current situation. The country was in lack of the integrated state policy and strategy for biodiversity use and conservation.

In order to improve this situation, in October 1997, the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia, supported by GEF commenced the development of Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan as well as First National Report, in accordance with articles 6, 8, 26 of Convention on Biodiversity.

For implementation of mentioned activities, the Ministry of Nature Protection had established the working groups on flora conservation, fauna conservation, landscape and especially protected areas, agrobiodiversity conservation, water biodiversity, ecological education and legislation and inter-sectoral relations. The composition of working groups relied upon the expertise skills of participants. The working groups members were selected from the best experts in biology, geography, legal studies, economics. The representatives from relevant NGOs have also been included in working groups.

The one year project was finalized with presentation of First National Report on Biodiversity, where the current situation of biodiversity use and conservation in Armenia