Category: News

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and Belgium’s Ghent University have signed a memorandum of understanding on the implementation of Armenian studies courses.

The memorandum was signed by Armenia’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Tigran Balayan, and Ghent University Rector Petra De Sutter.

According to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, the memorandum provides for courses on Armenian culture and history to be offered at Ghent University, as well as workshops, seminars and thematic academic days. Educational modules will also be developed as part of existing courses, and public outreach events related to Armenian studies will be organized.

“The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, with the aim of promoting the spread and development of Armenian studies worldwide, cooperates with leading universities around the world, funding the teaching and study of Armenian studies subjects, including the Armenian language, literature, history and culture, as well as the organization and implementation of research projects,” the ministry said in a statement.

Currently, with funding from the Armenian ministry, courses and academic and research activities are carried out at Armenian studies centers and departments at 14 leading universities in 11 countries. These include Sapienza University of Rome, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, the University of Salzburg, Complutense University of Madrid, Kennedy University and the National University of Rosario in Argentina, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Democritus University of Thrace, and Cairo University, among others.

The number of universities involved increases each year, expanding the geographical scope of cooperation and ensuring the continued development of Armenian studies education and research. Strengthening cooperation among Armenian studies centers and increasing the visibility of Armenian studies in international academic circles are considered key priorities of state policy.

The statement also emphasizes that, recognizing the importance of the effective operation of Armenian studies centers and the expansion of international cooperation, the ministry continues to support their development, helping implement new educational and research initiatives, facilitate the exchange of academic expertise, and ensure the sustainability of Armenian studies.

Greenpeace representatives have called for increased biodiversity funding, an end to subsidies that harm nature, and stronger protections for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities as key priorities at the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Yerevan.

At a press conference in Yerevan, Greenpeace representatives stressed that decisions made at COP17 will be crucial to achieving global biodiversity targets by 2030. They said the priority should not be to introduce more declarations and initiatives, but to fulfill existing commitments and address outstanding challenges.

An Lambrechts, head of the Greenpeace delegation to CBD COP17, said COP17 was an important milestone on the path toward the 2030 targets. According to Lambrechts, assessments of global progress on biodiversity conservation show that the international community is significantly behind schedule.

“We need adequate resources directed toward the right objectives. Rights must be at the heart of implementation, and global and national policies must be interconnected, coordinated and consistent with one another,” Lambrechts stressed.

She also emphasized the need to implement the decisions adopted at COP16 in Cali, particularly those concerning funding for the Cali Fund and ensuring the effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

According to Lambrechts, companies that derive the greatest benefits from digital sequence information (DSI) should make a fair contribution to biodiversity conservation. She stressed that major corporations profiting from the destruction of nature must be held accountable.

She also called for the protection of the right to self-determination of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and for their full participation in decision-making processes.

“We do not need new declarations and initiatives from this conference simply to increase their number. We need an action-oriented response to the problems that have already been identified,” Lambrechts said.

The biodiversity financing gap remains one of the main challenges.

Irène Wabiwa, biodiversity programme manager at Greenpeace International, stressed that developed countries had failed to meet their commitment to provide $20 billion annually in international biodiversity finance by 2025. They must now take action to close the gap and achieve the target of providing $30 billion annually by 2030.

According to Wabiwa, developed countries must not replace their core commitments with attempts to mobilize funding from the private sector. Although business participation is important, public finance must continue to play a central role.

“We are not saying that the private sector should not contribute. It, too, must take on its share of responsibility. However, public finance must be the priority, and developed countries must fulfill their commitments,” Wabiwa said.

She said subsidies that harm nature must be reviewed and countries’ financial capacity to address biodiversity loss strengthened.

“We cannot demand funding for nature conservation on the one hand while continuing to support activities that damage forests and ecosystems on the other,” she stressed.

She also highlighted the need for debt relief or debt cancellation for developing countries. According to her, these countries are expected to conserve forests and biodiversity, while their heavy debt burdens often force them to exploit natural resources to meet their financial obligations.

Laura Caicedo, campaigns coordinator at Greenpeace Colombia, addressed the target of conserving at least 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030.

She said simply designating new protected areas was not enough. Ecosystems must be effectively protected, their destruction and degradation prevented, damaged areas restored, and their long-term conservation ensured.

According to Caicedo, land grabbing, the expansion of livestock farming, mining and infrastructure projects continue to put pressure on natural ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. She stressed that nature conservation policies must be aligned with agricultural, trade, investment and subsidy policies.

Particular attention was also given to the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Caicedo said governments must recognize the role of their traditional territories and governance systems, provide legal protection for community-led conservation initiatives, and ensure that these communities have a genuine influence over decisions affecting their territories.

According to Caicedo, the “30 by 30” target must not be reduced to marking new areas on a map. It must mean preserving healthy, interconnected ecosystems, respecting people’s rights and providing the necessary resources.

The participants in the press conference agreed that progress in the coming years will depend both on the decisions made in Yerevan and on their subsequent implementation in national capitals and at the local level.

Three of the world’s four wild wheat varieties grow in Armenia, while native butterflies, medicinal herbs, honey and other products from the country’s protected areas are among the highlights of a joint pavilion at the Green Zone of COP17 in Yerevan.

Six institutions operating under Armenia’s Ministry of Environment are presenting the country’s biodiversity, scientific specimens and natural products at the pavilion.

One of the main attractions is a 3D photographic collection of Armenian butterflies, photographed by Arshak Karagyozyan. The collection features endemic species, including the Apollo butterfly and the blue butterfly, which was chosen as the symbol of COP17.

The Erebuni Reserve is showcasing three wild wheat varieties. According to Lilit Galstyan, director of the Armenian State Museum of Nature, only four such varieties exist worldwide, and three grow in Armenia.

The pavilion also features sequoia seedlings and coniferous trees from the Reserve-Park Complex, as well as products from its arboretums, including jams and dried fruits. Visitors can also discover medicinal herbs and honey from Lake Arpi National Park and the Zangezur Biosphere Complex.

The Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center is presenting animal specimens used in genetic studies and environmental assessments. Aquatic organisms are among the exhibits, as they serve as indicators of the condition of aquatic ecosystems.

Galstyan said the pavilion also aims to promote environmental education, particularly among younger generations, and raise awareness of Armenia’s rich biodiversity. She added that COP17 could help strengthen environmental cooperation and encourage more tourists to discover the country’s natural heritage.

More than 30 pavilions showcasing Armenian cuisine and the culinary traditions and cultures of national minorities living in Armenia will be featured at the “Diversity of Tastes and Friendship of Peoples: Armenian and National Minorities’ Cultural and Culinary Festival” in Arzni on October 24.

Speaking at a press conference, Mekhak Apresyan, President of the Armenian Tourism Federation, said the festival is being held for the second time.

“We held it for the first time last year, and it received considerable attention. Local residents and community officials were enthusiastic. This laid the groundwork for making it an annual event and bringing a celebration to the residents of Arzni and neighboring communities. They are eagerly looking forward to presenting their handicrafts and the culinary specialties characteristic of their communities, together with national minorities. This festival is not only about celebration, songs, dances and delicious dishes, but also about friendship and solidarity,” Apresyan said.

Sedrak Mamulyan, president of the Armenian Cookery Traditions Development and Protection NGO, said a culinary competition would also be held, as at previous festivals, in the categories of “Best Taste,” “Best Presentation” and “Best Concept.” A grand prize will also be awarded.

“Anyone who wishes can participate. We are not limiting the competition to professional chefs. Any representative of the national minority pavilions can take part and present their dishes. There will be similarities among the cuisines of different peoples, but there are also distinctive features. Last year’s experience demonstrated the diversity of the cuisines, which is particularly important for raising their profile. We have also informed participants that we can help them compile their recipes into a book,” Mamulyan said.

Vardan Marutyan, First Deputy General Director of festival partner ML Mining, said holding such events was important for Arzni both in terms of raising its profile and from an economic perspective.

“This is a unique opportunity to brand the Arzni community. Communities located relatively close to Yerevan are not given sufficient attention as destinations for tourism and cultural visits. People organize their trips and vacations in more distant regions, whereas Arzni has a rich historical and cultural heritage and a distinctive character. Events like this further highlight the community’s unique features. Branding and increased tourist flows open up opportunities for new investment,” Marutyan said.

He emphasized that these opportunities could materialize in both the short and long term. At this stage, the increased flow of visitors leads to several-fold growth in local trade and services. In the longer term, Marutyan said, greater recognition could create investment opportunities in construction, hotels and guesthouses.

The festival organizers said they had also taken steps to inform international guests attending COP17 in Yerevan, giving them the opportunity to visit Arzni.

Armenia’s State Revenue Committee (SRC) is incorporating environmental priorities into its tax and customs administration, including through the construction of green-certified customs and logistics centers and the modernization of border crossing infrastructure, Sose Stepanyan, Head of the SRC’s International Cooperation Department, told Armenpress during COP17 in Yerevan.

“With the support of international partners, the SRC is currently implementing a project to build customs and logistics centers in Yerevan and Syunik. This will make it possible to provide all services related to foreign economic activity under the ‘one-stop, one-window’ principle, thereby facilitating customs operations. At the same time, the centers will be built in accordance with international green building standards and will obtain LEED certification. These projects will not only improve the efficiency of customs control but also ensure environmental safety,” Stepanyan said.

She added that the next project concerns the modernization of customs infrastructure at border crossing points. Under the project, state-of-the-art technologies will be introduced at all border crossing points. The initiative, which is also being implemented with the support of international partners, includes a separate environmental and social plan aligned with environmental protection objectives.

Speaking about green construction, Stepanyan said that the foreign economic activity centers must meet certain international standards. In particular, LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system. Throughout construction, environmental criteria related to energy efficiency, the efficient use of water resources, waste disposal and the use of construction materials will be taken into account.

Referring to the “Green Customs” program, Stepanyan said it has several components and outlines an action plan that forms the basis of the customs strategy.

“The ‘green agenda’ has become an integral part of both the SRC’s tax and customs administration. The implementation of environmental programs and digitalization contribute to further strengthening the green agenda. I believe that the SRC’s fiscal, regulatory, protective and security functions must always be balanced with environmental priorities,” Stepanyan concluded.

Armenia’s Ambassador Serob Bejanyan has presented his credentials to Brunei Darussalam’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, becoming Armenia’s first ambassador to the Southeast Asian country.

Bejanyan is stationed in Jakarta as Armenia’s ambassador to Indonesia and will cover Brunei in a non-resident capacity.

According to Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, during a private meeting following the official ceremony, Ambassador Bejanyan conveyed the greetings of Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to the Sultan, expressing hope that his appointment would give new impetus to the development of bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Armenian ambassador also held a brief conversation with Brunei Darussalam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Abdul Mateen, conveying the greetings of Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ararat Mirzoyan.

Ambassador Bejanyan noted that there is significant potential for cooperation on both bilateral and multilateral platforms, adding that his appointment as Armenia’s first ambassador to Brunei demonstrates the Armenian side’s readiness to realize that potential.

The minister, in turn, expressed readiness to develop bilateral cooperation.

The State Protection Service of Armenia said it is actively involved in planning and ensuring security at COP17 and related events held in Yerevan.

“Within its authority, the Service is ensuring the security of dignitaries visiting Armenia from dozens of countries, including heads of state and leaders of international organizations. As part of its protective operations, the Service is also taking measures to neutralize potential threats, thereby ensuring the smooth conduct of the conference and related events. Security measures are being implemented in coordination with relevant state agencies, partner services, and international organizations,” the State Protection Service said in a press release.

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 conference is expected to bring together around 15,000 representatives from 196 countries, as well as representatives of international organizations, the scientific community, civil society, and the private sector. The events are taking place in Yerevan from October 19 to 30.

Representatives of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council have submitted a report on the possible consequences of suspending the application of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union to Armenia.

The Russian Government reported this.

It said the report, entitled “On the Possible Consequences of Suspending the Application of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union of 29 May 2014 to the Republic of Armenia”, was prepared by the council members representing the four countries pursuant to the joint statement issued by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on 29 May 2026.

The report includes information on measures Armenia has taken towards joining the European Union; an analysis of the compatibility of the legal regimes of the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union, particularly Armenia’s obligations under EAEU membership and those associated with EU accession; information on legal mechanisms intended to prevent risks arising from Armenia’s decision to join the EU; and assessments of the possible consequences of suspending the application of the EAEU Treaty of 29 May 2014 to Armenia.

An appeal addressed to the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, with the report attached, was sent to the Eurasian Economic Commission on 20 October 2026 for formal transmission to the council’s members—the leaders of the EAEU member states.

The report states that Armenia’s actions run counter to the obligation enshrined in Article 3 of the EAEU Treaty, under which member states must help create favourable conditions for the Union to perform its functions and refrain from measures that could jeopardise the achievement of its objectives.

At the same time, the document emphasises that the EAEU Treaty does not explicitly provide a mechanism allowing member states to unilaterally suspend its application to another member state.

In light of this, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan invoke universally recognised norms and principles of international law, particularly the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.

According to the report’s authors, these legal grounds allow the four countries to consider adopting a joint decision temporarily suspending the application to Armenia of the EAEU Treaty and other international treaties forming part of the Union’s legal system.

The document states that such a decision could remain in force until a referendum is held in Armenia on whether the country should continue participating in the EAEU or join the European Union.

At the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting in Astana on 29 May 2026, the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan issued a joint statement expressing concern that Armenia’s steps towards European integration could pose risks to the economic security of EAEU member states.

The four leaders instructed their representatives to submit a report by December 2026 on the consequences of a possible suspension of the EAEU Treaty’s application to Armenia. They also supported holding a nationwide referendum in Armenia as soon as possible on whether to join the EU or remain in the EAEU.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will participate as a speaker at the Euronews EU Enlargement Summit in Brussels on November 3, 2026, Euronews announced on social media.

The summit will bring together political leaders, policymakers, experts and business representatives to discuss the future of EU enlargement, European security and strategic autonomy, economic opportunities and competitiveness, democracy, reforms, and the path to membership.

A report prepared by representatives of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council has outlined the possible economic consequences for Armenia if a decision is taken to temporarily suspend the application of the EAEU Treaty to the country.

The report states that suspending Armenia’s membership of the Eurasian Economic Union would lead to a 15.6 per cent decline in its GDP, a 14.9 percentage-point increase in inflation and a 14.6 per cent reduction in consumption.

It says the price of gas supplied to Armenia would also rise from US$177.50 to US$300 per thousand cubic metres, an increase of 69 per cent.

The report notes that this figure is indicative and that the actual price could be higher depending on market conditions.

It also states that suspending Armenia’s EAEU membership would result in stricter labour migration conditions for Armenian citizens.

Customs controls and duties, full sanitary controls and taxation of goods would also be reinstated, according to the report.

The report says that, if a decision is taken to suspend Armenia’s EAEU membership, the legal regime established by the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union of 29 May 2014 would cease to apply to Armenia, its businesses and citizens for the duration of the suspension.

It states that suspending Armenia’s EAEU membership would lead to a 48.8 per cent decline in imports.

Total trade between Armenia and EAEU member states would fall by 55.6 per cent if its membership were suspended.

According to the report, exports of goods produced in Armenia would decline by 30–50 per cent, while re-exports would fall by more than 90 per cent.

Representatives of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council submitted the report on the possible consequences of suspending the application of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union to Armenia.

An appeal addressed to the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, with the report attached, was sent to the Eurasian Economic Commission on 20 October 2026 for formal transmission to the council’s members—the leaders of the EAEU member states.

The report states that Armenia’s actions run counter to the obligation enshrined in Article 3 of the EAEU Treaty, under which member states must help create favourable conditions for the Union to perform its functions and refrain from measures that could jeopardise the achievement of its objectives.

At the same time, the document emphasises that the EAEU Treaty does not explicitly provide a mechanism allowing member states to unilaterally suspend its application to another member state.

In light of this, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan invoke universally recognised norms and principles of international law, particularly the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.

According to the report’s authors, these legal grounds allow the four countries to consider adopting a joint decision temporarily suspending the application to Armenia of the EAEU Treaty and other international treaties forming part of the Union’s legal system.

The document states that such a decision could remain in force until a referendum is held in Armenia on whether the country should continue participating in the EAEU or join the European Union.