National strategy on bio-diversity approved
Azerbaijan, situated at the juncture of several biogeographical areas, contains species of European, Central Asian and Mediterranean origin and forms an integral part of the Caucasus Ecoregion.
Azerbaijan, situated at the juncture of several bio-geographical areas, contains species of European, Central Asian and Mediterranean origin and forms an integral part of the Caucasus Ecoregion.
Approximately 4,500 species of vascular plants have been recorded in the country, of which 210 are considered endemic. The country is especially noted for fruit and nut trees, and the forests of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains and the Talish Mountains contain wild ancestors of apples, persimmons, walnuts, chestnuts, pistachios and many other species that have been widely domesticated into many different varieties and strains.
The number of endemic fish species in the Caspian Sea region is also very high, and includes one lamprey species, 11 herring species, 24 species of Caspian gobies and five anadromous sturgeon species, all of which are fished commercially. The Caspian seal is the only resident endemic mammal.
To preserve the natural recourses and diversity, Azerbaijan was updating its National Bio-diversity Strategy and Action Plan for the 2017-2020 period together with the UNDP for over two years.
President Ilham Aliyev has recently signed a decree approving the "National Strategy for the Protection and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity in Azerbaijan for 2017-2020 years".
The coordination over the implementation of the national strategy has been entrusted to the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry, according to the order.
The Ministry was tasked to inform the president about the work done in connection with the implementation of the national strategy within a year.
The main objectives of the Strategy are efficient usage of genetic resources, protection and conservation of bio-diversity, improvement of environmental sustainability, establishment of special protected areas, risk reduction to bio-diversity and raising public awareness on these issues.
UNDP Resident Representative, Ghulam M. Isaczai highlighted the importance of the National Strategy for stronger cooperation with the government for the next five years.
“This national strategy will boost the reforms in this field and enhance UNDP–Government collaboration in programming activities in bio-diversity and overall, in environmental protection. UNDP will continue to collaborate with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources in spearheading biodiversity and ecosystem management in Azerbaijan.” he said
He further added that the National Bio-diversity Strategy will support Azerbaijan in successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals on lives below water (SDG 14) and on land (SDG 15) by the target year of 2030.
Within the implementation of the First National Bio-diversity Strategy and Action Plan, the size of protected areas in Azerbaijan has increased from 5% to 10.3% and forest coverage from 11.4% to 11.8%.
There are currently nine established national parks while one more area is in the process of turning into the national parks.
The adopted National Strategy is linked to the Convention on Biological Diversity that was inspired by the world community's growing commitment to sustainable development.
The adopted National Strategy is linked to the Convention on Biological Diversity that was inspired by the world community's growing commitment to sustainable development. The Convention for Biological Diversity was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio "Earth Summit"). It was adopted on 4 June 1993 with 168 signatures. Azerbaijan joined the Convention on March 2000. Convention requires all countries to prepare National Reports and National Action Plans regularly.