Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium visited the Norashen Nature Reserve

October 16, 2025

Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium observing the rich birdlife of Gull Island at Lake Sevan.

UNDP in Armenia

On 15 October, Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium, an SDG Advocate, visited the Norashen Nature Reserve within Sevan National Park to highlight Armenia’s efforts in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. The Queen was welcomed by UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Natia Natsvlishvili, RA Deputy Minister of Environment Aram Meymaryan, regional and local leaders, the Sevan National Park Management, CSOs, and green entrepreneurs. 

The visit, held under the EU-funded “Environmental Protection of Lake Sevan” (EU4Sevan) project, showcased the ecological significance of the area and the conservation of the iconic Armenian seagulls on Gull Island. Her Majesty also took part in birdwatching, observing the rich birdlife of Gull Island and learning about the species that inhabit the area.

During the visit, the Queen was presented with the new Sevan National Park Management Plan, developed with UNDP support - the first major update in nearly 14 years. The plan introduces the EU best practices and IUCN standards, aligning with Queen Mathilde’s advocacy for SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), and reflects Armenia’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive environmental action.

 

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