News
Testimonials
"I have known Ruben Khachatryan for more than 15 years, and from the very beginning he has never stopped impressing me with his worldview, his deep sense of responsibility toward nature, and his ability to find creative, non-standard solutions to complex challenges. I have had the privilege of working with him throughout different stages of my professional life — during my years in international organizations, later as Armenia’s Minister of Environment, and now in my current role. Across all these contexts, Ruben has consistently stood out as one of the most forward-thinking and visionary professionals in the field of biodiversity and conservation policy. Beyond his professional achievements, one of Ruben’s most important contributions has been his work with youth. Through the network of eco-clubs he established across Armenia, thousands of children have grown into passionate defenders of nature, carrying forward his belief that lasting change begins with awareness and education. His leadership combines integrity, innovation, and a genuine commitment to protecting the natural world. I am confident that his vision and experience will bring great value to the IUCN Council and to the broader global conservation community. " - Erik Grigoryan CEO of Environment Group Former Minister of Environment of the Republic of Armenia
"I have known Ruben Khachatryan for several years as a valued member of the ICCA Consortium. His leadership and the way he hosted our regional meeting demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism. When he hosted the regional ICCA meeting, Ruben ensured the event was thoroughly organized, inclusive, and focused on elevating local community voices. He created an atmosphere of trust and collaboration that allowed participants to engage openly, share knowledge, and build practical pathways for community-led conservation. Ruben’s commitment to linking conservation with community well-being is evident in his ongoing work. He is a thoughtful leader who brings people together, supports institutional strengthening, and inspires youth and local stakeholders to take active stewardship roles. He approaches challenges with creativity, integrity, and a deep respect for culture and place. I warmly endorse Ruben’s leadership and dedication to nature and people, and I look forward to continued cooperation within the ICCA network." - Khalid Khawaldeh Global Coordinator, WAMIP Regional Representative (WCAC), ICCA Council Director, Dana Community Cooperative — Jordan
"Ruben Khachatryan is a living example of the ideal Councillor for the IUCN. Sincerely devoted to conserving nature – species, habitats, landscapes – he is also deeply aware of the essential role that communities and cultures play for it. All this is not fleeting theory, but has been his and his organisation's daily practice for decades. Thoughtful, sincere, humane, but also never-shy-to-act, Ruben has experience in policy, institutional practices, fundraising, public campaigns and the responsibilities that come with them. Many other members of the IUCN Council and Secretariat will find Ruben a source of understanding, advice and competent support. The best among them will find a friend." - Grazia Borrini-Feyerabend Member of Council of Elders of ICCA Consortium, member of CEESP, past vice Chair CEESP & WCPA
Priorities as
IUCN Regional Councillor
Strengthening Community-Led and Cross-Border Conservation Meeting the 30x30 target requires more than expanding protected areas on paper. Ruben advocates for well-governed, equitably managed territories — including Indigenous and community-led areas — that are ecologically connected and recognized at the national level. Where national boundaries fragment wildlife habitats, he supports coordinated transboundary recovery programs, shared monitoring systems, and ecological corridors, building on models such as the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge. In post-conflict regions, he sees conservation not as a technical exercise but as a platform for dialogue — shared ecological goals creating the conditions for regional cooperation where political ones have failed. Cutting across all of this is the need for regional coalitions to combat wildlife trafficking: NGOs, communities, and government agencies working together to prevent and prosecute wildlife crime.
Advancing Nature-Based Solutions for Health, Livelihoods, and Climate Resilience Ruben's second priority addresses the intersection of nature loss, climate change, and human well-being. He promotes ecosystem-based climate adaptation — reforestation, wetland and grassland restoration — as the most practical and cost-effective buffer against wildfires, floods, and drought in vulnerable landscapes. He applies the One Health framework to connect ecosystem protection with disease prevention, food security, and public health, and supports collaborative river basin management to restore wetlands and secure clean water access across transboundary systems. On food systems, he advocates for regenerative and agroecological farming practices rooted in traditional knowledge — protecting soils, seeds, and pollinators while enhancing rural livelihoods. He insists that the green energy transition be held to biodiversity and equity standards: renewable energy and mineral extraction projects must not replicate the harms of industrial development. Finally, he champions nature-based urban infrastructure — green roofs, urban forests, restored waterways — as essential to building climate-resilient cities and improving quality of life for the communities living in them.
Amplifying Underrepresented Regions and Strengthening Cross-Cooperation Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central and Northern Asia remain underrepresented in global conservation policy. Ruben's priority is to ensure the region has a genuine seat at the table — advocating for its priorities within IUCN strategies, biodiversity frameworks, and international decision-making processes. Alongside this, he works to strengthen regional governance itself: more inclusive coordination platforms, joint planning between countries, and deeper engagement between IUCN Members and Commissions. Underpinning both is the question of funding. Local conservation initiatives are too often locked out of stable, equitable finance. He champions innovative mechanisms — biodiversity credits, nature-positive finance, and community-accessible grants — that can reach grassroots efforts directly.
Supporting the Next Generation of Conservationists Conservation leadership will only be as strong as the pipeline feeding it. Ruben advocates for regional youth fellowships, mentorship programs, and structured leadership pathways that bring young people, Indigenous communities, and women into the center of conservation — not as beneficiaries, but as decision-makers. Alongside this, he supports scaling nature-based environmental education through schools, eco-clubs, and community learning centers, building on models like the SunChild Network to foster early, lasting engagement with the natural world.