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

18:10

South Caucasus

Azerbaijan and Croatia strengthen bilateral cooperation

Political dialogue between Azerbaijan and Croatia creates a strong foundation for expanding cooperation in various fields.

13:43

World News

President Ilham Aliyev meets German business leader Michael Harms to boost economic ties

President Ilham Aliyev met Michael Harms, Chairman of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy, to discuss expanding Azerbaijan-Germany economic relations and the signing of a joint economic projects roadmap.

13:31

CASPIAN REGION

Azerbaijan calls for a summit on the Caspian Sea’s shrinkage

Azerbaijan has put forward a proposal to convene a summit focused on the ongoing shrinkage of the Caspian Sea. All five Caspian littoral states had been invited to take part in the consultations, stated Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijani President's Representative for Climate issues.

11:18

Azerbaijan, U.S.

Azerbaijan, U.S. discuss bilateral ties and regional security amid post-conflict developments

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a meeting on Thursday with U.S. Senator Steve Daines, a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to discuss the evolving dynamics of Azerbaijan–U.S. relations and regional developments in the South Caucasus.

15:28

South Caucasus

Azerbaijani President hosts UAE business delegation to strengthen cooperation

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev welcomed a high-level business delegation from the United Arab Emirates, highlighting deepening economic ties and future cooperation.