Lake Sevan, often referred to as the “blue jewel of Armenia,” is the country’s largest freshwater reservoir and one of the most significant high-altitude lakes in the world. It is living ecosystem, a source of food and livelihoods, and a symbol of Armenia’s identity and resilience. Its waters irrigate fields, sustain biodiversity, support tourism and provide drinking water to communities. In every sense, Sevan is a lifeline.
Yet, like many natural treasures around the world, Lake Sevan’s faces mounting pressures – from pollution and overuse to the growing effects of climate change. Along its once-pristine shores, litter has increasingly accumulated, threatening its fragile ecosystem and diminishing its beauty. Preserving this vital resource is not just a policy action but collective responsibility and practical action from every citizen.
Collective Action for a Shared Future
In celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the FAO Armenia staff joined hands to take concrete action: a volunteer clean-up along the shores of Lake Sevan. Partnering with the Clean Future for Lake Sevan project implemented by the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU), the team spent a day restoring part of the shoreline – collecting waste, raising awareness, and demonstrating how small, collective acts can contribute to lasting change.
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“Lake Sevan is not only a natural treasure but also a source of life, identity, and resilience for Armenia,” said Botagoz Nartayeva, FAO Armenia Country Programme Coordinator. “For centuries, Sevan has provided water, food, livelihoods, and cultural value to the Armenian people. Today, it faces serious environmental challenges. Through this joint effort, we wanted to remind ourselves and others that safeguarding our natural resources starts with individual responsibility: one action, one cleanup, one choice at a time”.
Celebrating 80 Years of Global Commitment
The cleanup was also a reflection of FAO’s broader mission. For eight decades, FAO has been working with governments, partners, and communities to promote sustainable management of the planet’s natural resources – from forests and soils to water and biodiversity. Every effort contributes to what FAO calls the “Four Betters”: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all.
At Lake Sevan, FAO Armenia’s staff embodied these principles not through speeches or reports, but through action. Together, they demonstrated that environmental protection is not a distant goal — it is a shared responsibility that begins close to home.
A Symbol of Hope and Responsibility
As the team gathered bags of waste and watched the sun reflect off Sevan’s clear waters, there was a sense of pride and purpose. Their work was a reminder that protecting nature is not a one-time event, but an ongoing journey of care, respect, and cooperation.
Through this simple yet powerful act, FAO Armenia staff expressed not only solidarity with global FAO values but also their personal commitment to protecting Armenia’s unique natural heritage. Protecting Lake Sevan means protecting the foundation of life itself — water, food, and hope.
Because together, we are stronger.
