Category: News

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.

Armenia will return to Azerbaijan the Azerbaijani citizen who entered Armenian territory after getting lost, PM Nikol Pashinyan has said.

The National Security Service (NSS) earlier said that on October 19, 2026, at around 17:50, Azerbaijani citizen Yashar Ali oglu Kasimov, born in 1968 and a resident of Chatakh village in the Tovuz district, was found in Armenia’s Tavush Province. Verification measures established that he had entered Armenian territory after getting lost.

Pashinyan commented on the matter during a press briefing.

“There is no border, line of contact, or frontline in the world that a person cannot cross. The man crossed over, the servicemen found him and handed him over to the National Security Service. They saw him walking toward them, detained him, and handed him over to the NSS. They didn’t detain him in Republic Square. The man crossed over, and we must return him to them,” Pashinyan said.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the initialed peace agreement with Azerbaijan could be signed in 2027–2028.

“We need to continue working with Azerbaijan,” Pashinyan said at a press briefing when asked about the agreement.

The prime minister added that the implementation of the Armenia-U.S. TRIPP project is also important in this context.

“Of course, one has nothing to do with the other, but we are now beginning to implement the TRIPP project,” the prime minister said.

The Pashinyan administration has repeatedly said it is ready to sign the initialed peace agreement at any time, but Azerbaijan has delayed the finalization of the deal, demanding amendments to the Armenian Constitution on the grounds that it supposedly contains territorial claims. The Armenian government has denied that the Constitution contains any such claims and reaffirmed its readiness to sign the peace agreement. However, the government does plan to introduce constitutional reforms, but says they are unrelated to Azerbaijan’s demands and have been in the works for many years.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan does not rule out holding snap parliamentary elections to adopt a new Constitution if the process cannot be completed through other means.

“We will publish the draft of the new Constitution in the near future, launch discussions, and submit it to parliament. We will try to persuade our opposition colleagues that this is a very important and fundamental issue, one that concerns determining and resolving the question of the continuity of the Armenian state. We will try to persuade them. If that does not work, we will pursue other scenarios, including holding snap elections. Who said that such a scenario is ruled out?” Pashinyan told reporters.

The prime minister said that Armenia’s Constitution is not discussed with Azerbaijan.

“This is part of our domestic political agenda. I should also say that this issue came up during our meeting in Bishkek, and I told the Azerbaijani side that we do not find it acceptable for Azerbaijan to keep raising issues related to our Constitution, because this is part of our domestic political agenda. The Azerbaijani side’s position is as follows: they said that they recognize the Constitution as an internal matter for Armenia and that no one has the right to interfere in the internal affairs of countries. However, since we are discussing matters related to the peace agreement, they are informing us that they hold this political position,” the prime minister said.

The prompt signing of the initialed peace agreement with Azerbaijan is a political commitment of the Armenian Government, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan reiterated at the Cabinet meeting, also addressing the opening of regional communications and efforts to implement the TRIPP project.

Mirzoyan said he had also noticed considerable interest in the peace agreement during the parliamentary discussion the previous day.

“The prompt signing of the peace agreement is a political commitment of our Government, and we want to see this document signed as soon as possible. This is because, understandably, infrastructure has not only an economic function but also a role and mission in strengthening peace,” he emphasized.

Addressing the Armenian-American agreement on TRIPP, Mirzoyan said that the ratification process had officially begun in parliament. He described the parliamentary committee hearing on ratification held the previous day as substantive and said the agreement is scheduled to be discussed at a plenary session of parliament in about a week.

The Foreign Minister also said that the drafting of documents related to the establishment of the Armenian-American company under TRIPP, the TRIPP Development Company, had entered its final stage. According to him, the documents are expected to be finalized in the near future, after which it will be possible to move on to the next stage of practical work.

Speaking about his impressions of the parliamentary discussions, he said he had observed a fairly positive attitude toward unblocking infrastructure also among the opposition.

Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan received Beijing Vice Mayor Wen Xian, who is leading a delegation to COP17.

City Hall said in a press release that, emphasizing the established cooperation between Yerevan and Beijing, Avinyan noted that there are areas in which Yerevan is interested in exchanging experience.

In particular, the mayor identified easing traffic congestion and traffic management, as well as reducing air pollution, as strategic priorities.

Avinyan also presented projects implemented or launched in various areas of municipal management that are aimed at introducing data-driven governance and applying systemic solutions.

Vice Mayor Wen Xian also noted that Beijing is ready to share its successful experience and accumulated knowledge in urban governance with Yerevan, helping deepen cooperation between the two capitals and exchange effective solutions.

Green Rock press release 

The popular Latvian travel show Četri uz koferiem (“Four with Suitcases”), broadcast on 360 TV, has dedicated a new season to Armenia, introducing viewers to the country’s culture, history, nature, and hospitality. Led by well-known Latvian stylist Indra Salceviča, the travel group explored different parts of Armenia, with Dilijan becoming one of the key stops on their journey.

In Dilijan, the guests were welcomed by the Meet Dilijan team, who guided them around the town and helped them discover its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and local cuisine.

Dilijan: Nature, History, and New Experiences

The travelers spent two nights in cozy cottages surrounded by lush forests, enjoying Dilijan’s peaceful atmosphere and scenic landscapes. Accompanied by the Meet Dilijan team, they explored the historic Old Dilijan district, admired its traditional architecture, and visited Haghartsin Monastery, a remarkable example of medieval Armenian architecture.

Their experience continued with local flavors, including dishes made with Dilijan mushrooms, fresh vegetables, and herbs. They also visited the recently opened Cabinet Café & Restaurant. Fun challenges, from drinking tomato juice to singing karaoke, added humor and unexpected moments to their Armenian adventure.

Putting Dilijan on the International Tourism Map

The show’s coverage introduces Dilijan’s tourism potential to a wider Latvian audience. Direct flights between Yerevan and Riga also make travel between the two countries more convenient, creating opportunities for tourism and cultural exchange.

Meet Dilijan is the town’s official tourism platform, showcasing Dilijan as an attractive year-round destination where nature, cultural heritage, gastronomy, and hospitality come together.

Mark Haldane of Zambeze Delta Safaris in Mozambique has won the 2026 Markhor Award for his contribution to wildlife conservation and sustainable development in local communities.

The award was announced on October 22 during a press conference held on the sidelines of COP17 in Yerevan. Haldane’s conservation work in Mozambique’s Zambezi Delta has helped restore wildlife populations while supporting local communities through sustainable wildlife management.

The Markhor Award was established in 2008 by the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC). Since 2024, the CIC and the Wild Sheep Foundation have been equal partners in the award.

Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), said the award provides an important platform for showcasing successful practices that demonstrate that biodiversity conservation is not only an environmental necessity but can also contribute to people’s well-being and the sustainable development of communities.

The Women in Climate Awards COP17 Special Edition ceremony will take place on October 23 in the Green Zone of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), located at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex.

Armenpress spoke with Nune Sakanyan, founder and director of the Women in Climate and Energy (WiCE) NGO, about the initiative.

Armenpress: What meaningful connection is there between women and climate change?

Nune Sakanyan: When international climate policy was being developed, the connection between climate change and women was not recognized. However, statistics later showed that climate change affects men and women differently, because women generally have lower incomes, their opportunities are much more limited, and their access to information is restricted. They are considered a more vulnerable group, and climate change affects women more severely. They are less able to respond appropriately to changes and adapt quickly.

Armenpress: So climate change has a greater impact on women than on men?

Nune Sakanyan: Women are a vulnerable group, but they are also leaders. They implement various programs to overcome this vulnerability. The goal of our awards is to bring recognition to women who are working and driving significant change, bringing positive changes not only to their local communities but also beyond them.

Armenpress: Are there many such women in Armenia? How many applications have you received for the awards?

Nune Sakanyan: The awards have also helped us map these initiatives. We first held the awards in 2022. To our surprise, we received around 170 applications and had 100 nominees. In 2024, we received even more applications. For the 2026 awards, held as part of COP17, we received 130 applications.

This year, we linked the awards to COP17 so that we could present our solutions to the world, give women an opportunity to speak about their programs, initiatives and solutions, and honor their work.

Armenpress: What kinds of programs do the women you recognize implement?

Nune Sakanyan: We have seven categories: “Climate Change Mitigation and Biodiversity Conservation,” “Climate Change Adaptation and Ecosystem Resilience,” “Community Action and Policy,” “Climate and Biodiversity Education for All,” “Communication on Climate and Biodiversity Challenges and Solutions,” “Youth in Climate and Environmental Action,” and “Climate and Environmental Finance and Innovation Solutions.”

We have 11 confirmed jury members. Each application was evaluated by four independent experts.

Armenpress: Were more applications submitted from Yerevan or from Armenia’s regions?

Nune Sakanyan: Twenty-two applications came from Yerevan, and the rest came from the regions. One of this year’s innovations is the “Special Recognition” award, which recognizes men who support women’s professional development and encourage their new initiatives and activities.

Armenpress: Will the project continue in the future?

Nune Sakanyan: Yes. We hold the awards every two years. The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia is one of our valued partners. More organizations join this initiative every year.

Armenpress: An “Art for Sustainable Development” exhibition will also be held as part of the awards. What will visitors see there?

Nune Sakanyan: Inspired by nature and recognizing the social component and the role of women, artists have joined this initiative. Relevant artworks will be displayed at the exhibition, which will run from October 22 to 24. It is very encouraging that part of the proceeds from the sale of these works will also go toward implementing programs led by women.

The customs service also plays an important role in biodiversity conservation, as customs controls help prevent the illegal movement of wild animals and rare plants across borders. Tackling this activity is a significant part of COP17’s agenda.

Speaking to Armenpress, State Revenue Committee (SRC) employees Lilit Ghazaryan and Mariam Titizyan discussed this issue, the features of the Green Customs Initiative, customs officers’ preparedness to prevent the illegal movement of wild animals and plants, and smuggling cases and risks.

“The Green Customs Initiative operates under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme, and its underlying purpose is to develop educational programmes focused on building customs officers’ capabilities. This unprecedented initiative was established in 2004, while a tripartite memorandum was signed in 2021 between the University of Economics, the Ministry of Environment and the State Revenue Committee to introduce customs administration as a subject taught to students,” Ghazaryan said.

She added that knowledge was essential for customs officers to understand the complexities involved in moving animals and plants across borders. She said knowledgeable customs officers were effective officers, and training courses therefore sought to provide SRC employees with as much support as possible so they would not feel they were working alone.

Ghazaryan said a strong border depended on professional, knowledgeable, vigilant and decisive customs officers.

Mariam Titizyan said the SRC’s Anti-Smuggling Department, alongside its other duties, carried out extensive work to prevent the illegal movement of wild animals and rare plants. This included analysing information and examining potential risks to enable targeted customs controls.

“When the customs service works around the clock and conducts targeted operations, it first prevents violations and then detects them. It is important for every customs officer to be able to identify goods crossing the border, assess the risks and examine the documents relating to their acquisition,” Titizyan said.