Ucom served as a strategic partner of Yerevan Conservation Symposium 2026. Held under the theme “Beyond State-Protected Areas” ahead of the UN COP17 conference, the symposium brought together global conservation leaders, representatives of government institutions, international organizations, businesses, and the expert community.
The symposium focused on new models of conservation governance beyond state-protected areas, as well as on the implementation of Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Target 3 / 30x30), which aims to conserve at least 30% of the planet’s terrestrial and aquatic areas by 2030.
The two-day program featured high-level discussions, expert sessions, and parallel sessions covering legal and institutional frameworks, community-based governance, monitoring, conservation finance, and effective management. The discussions resulted in the adoption of the Yerevan Call to Action, a strategic document that will serve as an international roadmap for 2027–2030 toward the implementation of Target 3 (Target 3 / 30x30). This format is being introduced within the COP framework for the first time and is intended to become an integral part of it.
As part of the symposium, during the Welcome Reception held on the evening of 17 October at the National Gallery of Armenia, Ucom General Director Ralph Yirikian received the Green Warrior Award from the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) in recognition of Ucom’s long-standing and consistent corporate commitment to biodiversity conservation in Armenia. The award is presented to partners that make a sustained and meaningful contribution to nature conservation.
“This recognition is very meaningful both to me and to Ucom. It is the result of years of cooperation, tangible work carried out together with our partners, and our belief that technology can and should also serve nature conservation. Connectivity, data, monitoring systems, and renewable energy solutions can make a real impact where nature and biodiversity need to be protected. It is a great honor for us to continue this work with FPWC and to present it on international platforms,” said Ralph Yirikian, General Director of Ucom.
Ralph Yirikian also participated in the panel discussion “Designing Effective and Equitable Conservation Finance Mechanisms,” which aimed to examine existing and emerging conservation finance mechanisms, identify who can actually access and benefit from them, and explore what changes are needed to ensure long-term, sustainable, and equitable financing.
“Nature conservation is no longer merely about passive protection. It requires forward-thinking vision, advanced technologies and unwavering commitment. The Green Warrior Award is more than a token of appreciation; it is a recognition of the fact that Ucom and Ralph Yirikian have been at the forefront of environmental conservation for many years. When a technology leader becomes a dedicated ally in protecting nature, the global ‘30x30’ target moves beyond words on paper and becomes a tangible reality. Through the Yerevan Conservation Symposium, we have demonstrated that Armenia is ready to lead the way globally in developing innovative models for biodiversity conservation beyond protected areas,” said Ruben Khachatryan, Founder and Director of FPWC.
Ucom considers it important to support platforms that bring together professional expertise, new ideas, and partnership opportunities, helping shape practical and long-term solutions for nature conservation and contributing to the preservation of Armenia’s natural heritage.