Azerbaijan takes Armenia to court over habitat damage

Azerbaijan has filed a case against Armenia at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, accusing it of severe environmental damage during its occupation of Azerbaijani territories—a move marking the first inter-state arbitration under the Bern Convention.

On 12 February 2025, Azerbaijan submitted a Statement of Claim to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, initiating an arbitration case against Armenia under the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (1979). The claim accuses Armenia of multiple violations of its obligations under the convention.

After reclaiming its territories, Azerbaijan reported significant environmental destruction allegedly caused by Armenia, including the failure to protect habitats and species in a critical biodiversity hotspot. Azerbaijan claims that Armenia’s actions and inaction resulted in severe and irreversible damage to the region’s ecosystems.

In light of this evidence, Azerbaijan issued a Notice of Arbitration to Armenia on 18 January 2023, officially starting the arbitration process. The arbitral tribunal was established on 15 September 2023, and the first procedural conference between the two countries was held on 12 April 2024 at the Peace Palace in The Hague. This case is noted as the first inter-state arbitration under the Bern Convention.

Azerbaijan seeks full reparations from Armenia for extensive environmental damage, including deforestation, unsustainable logging, mining, and the construction of hydropower plants during Armenia’s occupation. These activities reportedly harmed numerous species and their habitats in the affected territories.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) previously reported that thousands of hectares of protected forests in Azerbaijan, including ancient trees over 2,000 years old, were damaged. The report also noted chemical pollution from mining, affecting water, soil, and biota, with mass fish deaths documented in the Okhchuchay River. Several protected fish and amphibian species remain under threat due to Armenia’s actions during the occupation.

Azerbaijan intends to continue pursuing justice and holding Armenia accountable for the environmental damage and failure to protect ecosystems during the period of occupation.

Read next

16:04

Azerbaijan-Slovenia

Azerbaijan and Slovenia discuss stronger political and economic ties

On April 17th, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Slovenia’s Deputy PM Tanja Fajon to discuss expanding political and economic ties, energy cooperation, the Middle Corridor’s potential, and strengthening links between business communities.

15:07

South Caucasus

Bayramov: "The release of 4 villages in Gazakh is the first major outcome of the negotiations"

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov discussed progress in the delimitation and demarcation of borders between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the restoration of transport links between the two countries, during a press conference with Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon.

15:05

Trilateral Meeting

Trilateral meeting held in Tbilisi between Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia

A trilateral meeting between the representatives of the foreign ministries of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia was held in Tbilisi, where the sides discussed prospects for regional stability and cooperation.

13:24

South Caucasus

Yerevan proposes signing a peace treaty with Baku and joint application to dissolve the OSCE Minsk Group on the same day

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Yerevan has proposed signing a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, along with submitting a joint application to the OSCE for the dissolution of the Minsk Group on the same day.

12:33

South Caucasus

Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia hold talks in Tbilisi

A trilateral meeting between the deputy foreign ministers of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia is taking place today in Tbilisi.