Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan dismissed criticism of Armenia hosting the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, saying that Armenia could also consider hosting the world’s largest climate change conference in the future.

“You think people around the world wake up thinking first about Armenia and the historical civilization of the Armenian people? The Republic of Armenia has very limited international recognition. Events such as COP17 are intended, among other things, to raise the country’s profile. Recognition is an economic factor. Those people should go out into Yerevan, visit hotels, cafés and restaurants, which are full and have no available space, and talk to taxi drivers, who have no shortage of work,” the Prime Minister said at a press briefing. 

Pashinyan added that the largest of the COP conferences focuses on climate change and will be hosted by Türkiye in November 2026.

“Perhaps Armenia could also consider hosting the climate COP. Armenia is positioning itself as a country capable of hosting high-level international meetings to a high standard,” Pashinyan said.