Armenian Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan has discussed preparations for the COP17 UN Biodiversity Conference, due to be held in Yerevan in October, with international biodiversity and multilateral negotiations expert Basile van Havre.

Matevosyan announced the meeting in a post on his Facebook page. The discussions focused on key aspects of the pre-conference negotiating process, existing challenges and Armenia’s role as the COP17 presidency. 

“We discussed Armenia’s role as the COP17 presidency, the strategic priorities of the presidency, approaches to the effective organisation of the negotiating process, and the steps that will help foster constructive dialogue, mutual trust and consensus during the conference,” Matevosyan said. 

The meeting also covered the significance of the COP17 presidency in advancing the global biodiversity agenda, accelerating the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and strengthening cooperation among countries.

“Armenia continues its systematic preparations for COP17 with the goal of delivering a high-level conference, an inclusive and transparent negotiating process, and a results-oriented presidency in support of global biodiversity conservation efforts,” the minister added.