Armenia’s Minister of Environment and China’s Minister of Ecology Discussed Key Issues on the COP17 Agenda

ArmInfo. Armenia’s Minister of Environment Hambartsum Matevosyan discussed key issues on the agenda of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) with Minister of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China Huang Runqiu in Kunming.

As noted by the press service of Armenia’s Ministry of Environment, the meeting had special symbolic significance, since it was from Kunming that the process of developing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework began, while in Yerevan, as part of COP17, the first global review of collective progress in its implementation will take place. In this regard, Matevosyan and Runqiu discussed the results of the "Kunming Dialogue" and its contribution to the COP17 process, as well as the importance of ensuring political continuity from Kunming to Yerevan.

"The head of Armenia’s Ministry of Environment emphasized that the first global review should not only record the results achieved and existing gaps, but also send a clear signal to accelerate action through 2030 and transform the commitments made into measurable results," the Ministry noted.

The parties also discussed key issues on the COP17 negotiating agenda, including the means of financing and implementing biodiversity conservation measures, monitoring and accountability mechanisms, ecosystem restoration, protected areas and strengthening international cooperation. In particular, Matevosyan highly praised China’s leading role in shaping the global biodiversity agenda, as well as the personal contribution of the Minister of Ecology and Environment, who served as president of COP15, to the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

According to the ministry, the meeting also addressed the issue of financing Armenia’s programs under the Kunming Biodiversity Fund. In this regard, Matevosyan presented a program proposal developed by Armenia aimed at restoring Lake Sevan and mountain aquatic ecosystems.

At the end of the meeting, the head of Armenia’s Ministry of Environment invited the Minister of Ecology and Environment to participate in COP17, which will be held in Yerevan, as well as in the high-level segment, presenting the main results and key messages of the "Kunming Dialogue".

It should be recalled that on October 31, 2024, during the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Cali, Armenia was chosen as the host country for the 17th Conference of the Parties. COP-17 will be held in Yerevan from October 18 to 30, 2026.

The UN Convention on Biological Diversity is one of the three key international environmental conventions aimed at regulating the efforts of the international community to ensure environmental sustainability, protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems and sustainably use natural resources. Conferences of the Parties to the Convention are among the largest global environmental events, held every two years, during which participating countries develop mechanisms to implement the Convention’s provisions and adopt new commitments to strengthen the protection of natural resources.