Category: News

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the State Department said.

According to the readout of the call, the Secretary and the Secretary General discussed Black Sea security, ongoing efforts to broker a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine, and preparations for the NATO foreign ministers meeting in December.

Eleveight AI press release 

Eleveight AI participated in NVIDIA GTC Berlin on October 20–22, 2026, presenting its operating AI Factory and expansion plans. As one of the first deployments of the NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra systems, the company provides AI training and inference infrastructure to businesses building across Europe and beyond.

The company noted that a $2 billion investment program is planned for the second phase, adding another 35 MW and bringing total capacity to 40 MW by 2027. The facility’s initial 1.5 MW of live capacity is fully committed, with demand coming from clients both in Armenia and beyond. Phase 1 expansion is now underway, with capacity planned to reach 5 MW by the end of 2026.

This year’s GTC Berlin was focused on how AI factories turn limited power into productive compute, with energy efficiency and water use high on the agenda. Eleveight AI’s facility already offers a working example. Built to NVIDIA Reference Architecture standards, it runs at a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.1 and relies on 100% air cooling at the server-rack level, with effectively zero water used for cooling.

For Eleveight AI, the event was also about bringing knowledge home. The company used GTC Berlin to align with global industry direction, strengthen international partnerships, and bring advanced expertise back to Armenia to support both its own expansion and the country’s wider AI ecosystem.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out search and rescue efforts for the missing and prompt medical treatment for the injured after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck a county in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region on Thursday night, Xinhua news agency reported.

The earthquake struck Baqen County in Nagqu City, Xizang (Tibet), at 10:33 p.m. Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The quake has left 16 people dead and 65 injured, according to local authorities.

Noting that the affected area is at a high altitude with low temperatures, Xi stressed the need to closely monitor seismic activity and weather conditions to prevent secondary disasters.

Efforts should be made to properly accommodate the affected residents, repair damaged infrastructure as quickly as possible, and safeguard people’s lives and property, Xi said.

Negotiations and related events at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) are actively under way at the Meridian Expo Centre. Discussions are expected to intensify during the ministerial segment scheduled for 27–28 October.

Armenian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Robert Abisoghomonyan told Armenpress that representatives of the Government, including colleagues from the ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Environment, Economy and Finance, were participating in thematic discussions addressing both COP17’s global agenda and issues important to Armenia.

“As I mentioned, negotiations are also taking place in parallel. Our representatives are following the negotiations and continuing discussions with various stakeholders, including outside the negotiating rooms, to build consensus on issues of common interest,” the deputy minister said, assessing the conference’s ongoing work positively.

He said decisions were expected in the coming days, while discussions on both broader topics and the negotiations would intensify during the ministerial segment on 27–28 October.

“We hope to reach consensus and achieve the desired outcome on issues of interest to the Republic of Armenia and all COP17 parties globally,” Abisoghomonyan said.

He stressed that Armenia’s approach to the negotiations was guided by the principle of building consensus among all stakeholders. Much of the work therefore takes place outside the negotiating rooms.

“Inside the rooms, we follow developments, identify contentious issues and the stakeholders involved, and then try to reach consensus outside the negotiating room. We often propose bridging language and sometimes organise small-group discussions among stakeholders to achieve the desired results,” he said.

The deputy minister said Armenia, as the country holding the COP17 presidency, had an important role in building consensus. Negotiations had already begun on all agenda items. Some issues were being discussed in working groups, while contact groups had been established to advance discussions on others.

“There are also priorities and new topics coming to the fore. For example, issues relating to the global review make COP17 in Armenia distinctive. As part of this, the ‘Yerevan Pathway’ initiative is to be adopted, setting out the next steps for implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” he said.

He added that financial issues, matters concerning indigenous peoples and other areas of the agenda were also important, as the decisions adopted would subsequently be reflected in the legislation of the 196 parties and would be binding on them.

Armenia will continue to hold the COP17 presidency for the next two years. During that period, efforts will need to continue to implement the decisions adopted in Armenia.

“The ‘Yerevan Pathway’ initiative will be one of the Republic of Armenia’s most important achievements. We must therefore continue working with all parties to ensure that the outcomes of COP17 in Armenia are subsequently put into practice and help address biodiversity issues and challenges,” he said.

Abisoghomonyan also highlighted Armenian initiatives due to be presented in the coming days during the ministerial segment. These concern incentives harmful to biodiversity, technology, mountains and freshwater, and protected areas.

He said these topics were connected both to the global biodiversity agenda and the review process, while also potentially helping identify solutions to issues important to different countries.

“These initiatives and the discussions taking place within them will seek to propose approaches that help those countries overcome existing challenges. If they succeed, Armenia could have a long-term influence on future biodiversity efforts,” he stressed.

The deputy minister said more than 70 ministerial-level representatives and around 40 deputy ministers had so far confirmed their participation in the ministerial segment on 27–28 October, with the total number of high-level delegations reaching 150.

“I believe this is unprecedented both for the Republic of Armenia and in terms of participation at biodiversity COPs,” he said.

He said ministers’ participation would provide political impetus for resolving the issues under discussion. The ministerial segment is held during the conference’s final days specifically to allow political solutions to be proposed for difficulties arising in the negotiations and to secure support at the appropriate level for ongoing issues.

Discussing Armenia’s central message, Abisoghomonyan said biodiversity issues directly affected people’s everyday lives and therefore deserved close attention.

“A desirable outcome would be for COP17 in Armenia to help resolve biodiversity-related issues, both during the conference and afterwards,” he concluded.

The State Revenue Committee’s (SRC) Training Center plays a role in supporting biodiversity conservation by equipping customs officers and other public servants with the knowledge and skills needed to implement environmental requirements in practice, SRC officials said.

All international commitments to biodiversity conservation, as well as ratified conventions, can be implemented in practice only when the professionals responsible for achieving these goals have sufficient knowledge and skills.

In an interview with Armenpress, Ani Jabaghyan, Head of the Research and Innovation Department at the SRC Training Center, and Syuzanna Ghazaryan, Head of the Cooperation and Development Department, discussed the Training Center’s activities and how they relate to the COP17 agenda.

“The role of the SRC Training Center is precisely to ensure the continuous development of these capacities. This link is particularly evident and crucial in the case of the customs service, since controlling goods transported across borders is extremely important for detecting and preventing the illegal trade in both wild animals and plants, as well as the illegal transportation of hazardous waste and restricted substances,” Ghazaryan said.

She added that, as part of the training provided to customs officers, the Training Center’s instructors address internationally established environmental requirements, as well as methods for preventing risks. One of the Training Center’s priorities is to turn environmental knowledge into practical skills that can be applied in day-to-day work.

Jabaghyan, in turn, noted that a “green mindset” is formed and developed when people recognize and understand the connection between their work and the environment and know what changes they need to make in their everyday decisions. Therefore, effective education should combine awareness-raising, practical assignments, and the development of responsible behavior.

“Through its e-learning platform, the Training Center makes this content accessible to public servants working in the regions and at border crossing points as well. Videos, reading materials, quizzes, and case studies help them not only acquire information but also apply it to make the right decisions,” Jabaghyan said.

Ms. Ivana Živković, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (RBEC), will visit Armenia from 26 to 31 October 2026, within the framework of the High-Level Segment of the UN Biodiversity Conference 2026 (COP17), the UNDP has announced. 

She will lead the UNDP delegation and participate in official events, high-level discussions and strategic engagements focused on accelerating implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, advancing biodiversity finance and translating global commitments into tangible national and local action. 

These engagements will highlight the need to move from commitments to implementation, mobilize public and private finance for biodiversity, integrate nature into economic and development planning, and ensure that implementation is locally-led and people-centred.

Ms. Živković’s mission will also reaffirm UNDP’s strategic partnership with the Government of Armenia and development partners and provide an opportunity to take stock of selected results achieved by UNDP in Armenia on the ground.

Following her COP17 engagements, Ms. Živković is scheduled to travel to Armenia’s Syunik region to visit selected initiatives supported by UNDP and its partners. The site visits will demonstrate how partnerships are translating development priorities into practical solutions at the local level, including stronger public infrastructure, inclusive community services, social protection and community-led economic transformation.

Armenia’s Urban Development Committee hosted a delegation from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) on October 23 during the delegation’s visit to Armenia for COP17.

According to the Committee’s press release, Deputy Chairman Vahan Misakyan welcomed Erfan Ali, Director of UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Katja Schaefer, an Inter-Regional Advisor at UN-Habitat, emphasizing the importance of expanding the joint agenda and deepening cooperation in urban development.

The parties highlighted the importance of UN-Habitat’s support in developing the terms of reference for Armenia’s General Settlement and Territorial Organization Master Plan, as well as further cooperation in drafting the document itself. They also discussed the provision of expert assistance for reviewing urban development legislation, including a comprehensive revision of the Law on Urban Development.

Erfan Ali expressed confidence that the establishment of a UN-Habitat office in Armenia would expand the scope of cooperation with the Urban Development Committee.

The meeting also addressed possibilities for resolving the issue of non-primary buildings in Gyumri with private-sector involvement, as well as expert assistance for digitalizing the urban development sector and applying artificial intelligence tools.

The Urban Development Committee of Armenia and UN-Habitat signed a letter of intent to expand bilateral cooperation.

UNICEF and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, in cooperation with Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, held a discussion titled “Biodiversity and Sustainable Development in Education” at the UN pavilion in the Blue Zone at COP17, focusing on education about climate change and biodiversity.

The speakers included Anna Babajanyan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport; Alvard Poghosyan, Head of Education at UNICEF Armenia; and Arevik Anapiosyan, Advisor to the UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia.

According to Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, the discussion brought together young delegates from Armenia, Argentina and Mexico, policymakers, education experts and representatives of international organizations. The delegates and participants discussed how education on climate change and biodiversity could be moved beyond standalone projects and awareness campaigns to become an integral part of school curricula, teacher professional development and everyday learning.

Anna Babajanyan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, noted that developing environmental awareness among students is one of the key challenges facing the education system.

“The most important thing we can do now to promote environmentally conscious approaches is to give students greater freedom to pursue their own interests and involve them in such projects. In other words, we should provide opportunities and support to help them express their interests and preferences in caring for the ecosystem,” she said.

The discussion also addressed methodological materials developed through cooperation between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports and UNICEF, with support from the Austrian Development Agency. The materials help teachers incorporate climate change education into school curricula.

Between 2020 and 2025, more than 400 teachers from 33 communities received support through the initiative to strengthen their capacity to deliver climate change education through project-based learning. During the same period, 2,015 students carried out more than 275 local environmental projects.

“Armenia’s experience shows that climate change education can be practical and directly relevant to children’s lives when teachers receive the necessary support. Our priority now is to consolidate the results achieved and make this type of education accessible to every child,” said Alvard Poghosyan, Head of Education at UNICEF Armenia.

“We cannot expect to achieve our climate and biodiversity conservation goals without equipping people with the necessary knowledge, critical thinking skills and ability to take action,” said Arevik Anapiosyan, Advisor to the UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia.

During the event, one episode of the Sevanik animated series was also screened. The series was created with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and UNICEF Armenia, in cooperation with OnOff Studio. It demonstrates how environmental issues can be presented to young children in an accessible and understandable way through engaging stories and appealing content.

Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Krystyna Tatarian met on October 23 with Khondker M. Talha, President of the UNESCO General Conference, who arrived in Armenia to attend the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The ministry said in a readout that the meeting focused on opportunities to expand cooperation between Armenia and UNESCO in education, science, culture, youth and sports.

Tatarian highlighted the importance of effective cooperation with UNESCO, outlining Armenia’s state policies on preserving and promoting cultural heritage, developing education and strengthening human capital. She emphasized the role of culture and education in consolidating peace, highlighting initiatives aimed at fostering a culture of peace and expanding the UNESCO Associated Schools Network in Armenia.

Addressing youth policy, the deputy minister presented the activities of youth centers in Armenia, emphasizing opportunities for non-formal education and youth capacity development. She also discussed Armenia’s experience in developing innovative education, highlighting the activities and international recognition of the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies.

Talha praised Armenia’s efforts to preserve cultural heritage and develop education, congratulating the country on its election to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

He also commended Armenia’s efforts to organize COP17, noting that hosting this major international event would raise the country’s international profile. In this context, the sides also discussed opportunities for cooperation in biodiversity conservation and within UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

At the end of the meeting, the sides emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation across various fields and implementing new joint initiatives.

COP17 President and Armenian Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan held a meeting with Diego Mesa Puyo, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), on the sidelines of COP17 in Yerevan.

“We discussed opportunities to expand cooperation between Armenia and the GEF, mobilize financial resources for biodiversity conservation, and implement projects aligned with national priorities,” Matevosyan said on social media.

He said he emphasized that achieving the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework requires predictable, adequate and accessible financing to translate global commitments into tangible results.

“We also discussed the initiative to establish a technology centre for biodiversity monitoring in Yerevan, highlighting the importance of innovative technologies, data collection and capacity-building for countries. I thanked the GEF for its longstanding partnership with Armenia and its support for the initiatives of the COP17 Presidency, reaffirming our readiness to continue our cooperation beyond the Conference,” Matevosyan said.

The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is being held in conjunction with the 12th meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CP-MOP-12) and the sixth meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (NP-MOP-6).

COP17 marks the first global review of collective progress toward implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The events are taking place in Yerevan from October 19 to 30.