International Environmental Law: Professional Development Program
Application Deadline: April 22, 2026. For application and eligibility criteria, visit here.
Dates: May – September 2026
Number of Sessions: 12 sessions
Session Time: 19:00 – 21:30 (evening sessions)
Required: Understanding of the English language
Target Audience: Lawyers, policymakers, professionals working in environmental governance, regulation, and diplomacy, and related academic scholars
Description: International environmental law and diplomacy are gaining greater momentum in shaping relationships between states and communities. While the upcoming 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) offers a timely platform to spotlight biodiversity, the Program situates Armenia’s priorities within the broader context of global environmental challenges, climate change, transboundary resource management, pollution, emerging technologies, and environmental rights. By connecting theory and practice, law and policy, local and international perspectives, the series will support Armenia’s evolution as a leader in sustainability and legal innovation. Programs and centers from the American University of Armenia (AUA), Yerevan State University (YSU), and the Armenian International Law Association (AILA) are joining forces to offer this first-ever professional program in Armenia on international environmental law.
Each event is built around a significant theme related to international environmental law, such as:
- Key environmental and climate international legal instruments in force globally and in Armenia
- Principles of international environmental law and the global trends in international environmental acquis
- Interplay of environmental treaties and national implementation, with global and local case studies
- Disputes and their resolution under international environmental law
- Regional cooperation in the implementation of international environmental law
- Opportunities and challenges of integrating science in international environmental law, including monitoring, compliance, and dispute settlement
Speakers will include prominent international and Armenian legal practitioners and scholars
The long-term objective is to foster a new generation of lawyers, policymakers, and advocates who can drive innovation and cooperation at the interface of law, policy, and society. By connecting law students, practitioners, academics, and decision-makers through collaborative projects and international exchanges, the program will help anchor a national community of practice that is closely plugged into regional and global networks in international environmental law.
Importantly, this partnership between Armenia’s institutions will serve as a model for how universities, professional associations, and research centers can work hand-in-hand to advance the country’s long-term sustainability and resilience.
Program Structure: Running from May to September 2026, the series will offer a sequence of in-person lectures, roundtables, and interactive workshops, culminating in a final assessment to grant an attestation of completion. Online participation is not possible.
The Program will consist of 12 sessions, each about 2.5 hours in duration, with a total not exceeding 36 hours. The sessions will be held in the evenings, starting at 19h (7 PM) Yerevan time.
Specific Topics and Dates: The topics of the 12 sessions and dates in 2026 are summarized in the table below.
- Thursday, May 7. Core Principles of International Environmental Law
- Thursday, May 14. Global Atmosphere and Air
- Thursday, May 21. Biodiversity and Ecosystems
- Thursday, June 4. Soil and Land
- Thursday, June 11. Water and Transboundary Relations
- Thursday, June 18. Chemicals and Hazardous Materials + Natural and Human-made disasters
- Thursday, June 25. Environmental Fairness and Justice
- Thursday, July 16. International Environmental Law and Diplomacy
- Thursday, September 3. Beyond political will: Compliance with Multilateral Environmental Treaties
- Thursday, September 10. Use of Environmental Law in Disputes and Regional Application of International Environmental Treaties
- Thursday, September 17. Business, Finance, and Nature
- Thursday, September 24. Towards a More Holistic System of Environmental Crime Control
The program is developed and implemented by a consortium of Armenian institutions, including:
The Application deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
For application and eligibility criteria, visit here.
— AUA, YSU, and AILA Sign MoU (Feb 20, 2026)
— Applications Open for Armenia’s First Professional Development Program in International Environmental Law (April 1, 2026)
If you have any questions, please write to [email protected].