Category: News

Field trips to historical and cultural monuments in Kotayk and Gegharkunik provinces were organized for participants in the “Culture and Nature” forum held within the framework of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport said in a press release that the purpose of the visits was to introduce participants to Armenia’s cultural heritage and demonstrate its connection with biodiversity, nature and environmental protection.

Delegates and participants in the “Culture and Nature” forum visited Geghard Monastery, Garni Temple and the Symphony of Stones natural monument. Near Garni Temple, the Masunk traditional song and dance ensemble performed traditional songs and dances expressing the Armenian people’s cultural ties with nature.

An exhibition and sale of local products were also organized, with the participation of the Hovhannes Sharambeyan Museum of Folk Arts, the Teryan Cultural Center, local producers and artisans.

Participants then visited the Norashen Reserve in Sevan National Park, where they learned about the biological significance of Lake Sevan and the area’s rich biodiversity. At the Sevan Botanical Garden, guests were introduced to plant species growing in the area and adapted to local conditions, including species listed in Armenia’s Red Book.

At the pavilion area in the city of Sevan, the delegates had the opportunity to discover the works and products of local creators. The Armenian Cookery Traditions Development and Protection NGO presented Armenia’s culinary heritage through a demonstration of how a traditional dish is prepared. The program continued at the Sevan Cultural Center with a screening of the documentary film “People of the Lake: Sevan’s Fishermen.”

Filmed by the Sevan Youth Club NGO with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia, the documentary explores Sevan’s fishing culture, fishermen’s memories and their connection to the lake. The screening was followed by a discussion with the film’s subjects, Sevan’s fishermen, and concluded with a concert by the GAMMA Band.

The day’s cultural program continued at the Bohem art studio and tea house, where guests were served “Sevan tea,” made from local plant species, and took part in a creative workshop.

Armenia is presenting four initiatives under its COP17 Presidency aimed at helping countries translate global biodiversity conservation goals into practical action.

The initiatives focus on strengthening biodiversity monitoring systems, conserving mountain and freshwater ecosystems, promoting effective conservation measures outside protected areas, and developing economic incentives that benefit biodiversity.

Speaking to Armenpress, Voskehat Grigoryan, Head of the Department for Specially Protected Areas of Nature and Biodiversity Policy at Armenia’s Ministry of Environment, said that water, agriculture, health, community well-being and other important sectors depend on biodiversity.

Conserving biodiversity and ecosystems is essential to ensuring quality of life, she said. 

Effective conservation requires reliable data, assessments of valuable ecosystems, professional capacity and appropriate economic decisions.

First initiative: Yerevan Tech for Biodiversity Monitoring Hub

“To make decisions aimed at conserving biodiversity, we need to know the condition of our ecosystems, how species populations are changing and where intervention is needed. This platform will help countries benefit from expert support, satellite observations and new tools for data collection and analysis. For countries around the world, including Armenia, it offers an opportunity to strengthen monitoring and make better-informed decisions. In 2022, in Kunming and Montreal, the world adopted four goals and 23 targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. The Yerevan conference is taking place halfway along that path. The time for new commitments has passed; now we must deliver results, and we must do so faster. This is the meaning of our motto, ‘Taking Action for Nature,’” she said.

Grigoryan said that the first global review of collective progress provides a clear picture of where the world stands. It draws on national reports submitted by 129 Parties to the Convention, representing two-thirds of the Parties; national targets submitted by 162 Parties, representing more than 80% of the Parties; and updated national biodiversity strategies and action plans submitted by 89 Parties, representing nearly half of the Parties. According to her, the findings show that the world is not on track to achieve the goals.

“The review also tells us something about our own tools. Many countries still lack well-coordinated monitoring systems and infrastructure to generate, manage and report reliable data. The global report and the analysis of the seventh national reports reveal significant data gaps. And what cannot be measured cannot be accounted for or corrected. Armenia is familiar with this problem from its own experience. Our national monitoring system remains fragmented, and consolidating data is one of our priorities. Many Parties, large and small, face the same challenge. This is precisely why the COP17 Presidency has developed the Yerevan Technology Platform for Biodiversity Monitoring Hub, in coordination with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and under the joint leadership of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It has three components: cooperation among institutions responsible for indicators, accompanied by a support package; a program to strengthen countries’ capacity to support monitoring; and access to technologies and innovations, including Earth observation, ecosystem mapping, assessments of species extinction risk and genetic diversity, environmental DNA, bioacoustics, and artificial intelligence-assisted data integration, presented in a format that countries can apply in practice,” Grigoryan said.

Second initiative: Yerevan Platform on Mountains and Related Freshwater Ecosystems

Grigoryan noted that changes in mountain areas affect rivers, lakes, water availability and people’s livelihoods. For Armenia, this connection is clearly illustrated by Lake Sevan and mountain water systems. The platform is intended to facilitate the exchange of experience, provide technical support and connect countries with relevant partners and funding opportunities.

“This flagship initiative has personal significance for each of us, because our villages, monasteries, pastures and entire history have been shaped by mountain ecosystems. Healthy mountain ecosystems are essential for biodiversity, water security, agriculture and human well-being. Therefore, conserving mountains and related freshwater ecosystems is a shared priority that requires stronger cooperation among countries and across sectors. Worldwide, mountains support the livelihoods of around 1.2 billion people. They supply more than half of the world’s freshwater flows, encompass 25 of the world’s 34 biodiversity hotspots, and are home to 85% of amphibian, bird and mammal species,” she said.

Grigoryan emphasized that mountains are nature’s water reservoirs for humanity. Therefore, conserving mountains and related freshwater ecosystems is a shared priority that requires stronger cooperation among countries and across sectors.

The initiative will deliver two outcomes: bringing mountain countries together to coordinate their work regularly at the highest level, and supporting countries in incorporating mountains and freshwater ecosystems into biodiversity strategies, climate plans and national planning priorities.

“Our ambition is to ensure strong and practical coordination within the framework of work that has already been agreed,” the department head said.

Third initiative: Global OECM Action Hub

According to Voskehat Grigoryan, through this initiative Armenia aims to help countries and organizations come together around practical solutions that can support implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The global ambition to conserve at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, marine and coastal areas by 2030 is important and necessary. However, achieving this target is not simply about increasing the area under conservation. It is about ensuring that these areas deliver significant and lasting results for biodiversity.

“Protected areas play a fundamental role in this effort. But we also recognize that important conservation outcomes can be achieved beyond their boundaries. Around the world, there are forests, agricultural landscapes, fishing grounds and other areas where biodiversity is effectively conserved, even though conservation may not be their primary management objective. Other effective area-based conservation measures, or OECMs, make it possible to recognize this contribution when it meets internationally agreed criteria. However, identifying and assessing such areas is not always straightforward. Many countries still face technical and institutional difficulties. Interpretations and applications of existing criteria may differ, while access to the necessary knowledge, guidance and expert support remains uneven. At the same time, international organizations, scientific institutions and practitioners working in this field have already accumulated considerable experience. We need to bring this knowledge together, make it more accessible and help countries apply it consistently. This is precisely why the COP17 Presidency has launched the Global OECM Action Hub initiative,” she said.

According to Grigoryan, the aim is not to establish new standards or duplicate ongoing work, but to strengthen coordination, build on existing expertise and support the consistent application of criteria agreed under the Convention.

The initiative will operate under the leadership of the COP17 Presidency, in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Fourth initiative: Yerevan Call on Incentives Positive to Biodiversity and launch of the Friends of Target 18

“Positive incentives for biodiversity shape decisions across all sectors of our economies. They affect how natural resources are used, how goods are produced and consumed, and where public and private investments are directed. Aligning incentives with biodiversity goals can therefore benefit not only nature but also sustainable development, food and water security, climate resilience, livelihoods and long-term economic stability. At the same time, incentive reform is a complex and sensitive process. Incentives are closely linked to national economic and social priorities and can affect sectors and communities in different ways. Reforms must therefore be carefully assessed, determined at the national level, socially responsible and tailored to each country’s circumstances. There can be no single model for all countries,” Grigoryan said.

According to her, progress requires national leadership and responsibility, coordinated work across government, a reliable evidence base and international cooperation. It is with this understanding that the COP17 Presidency is launching the flagship initiative.

The initiative was developed in close cooperation with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and its Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, with the support and involvement of pioneering countries. It brings together three mutually reinforcing elements.

“The first is the Yerevan Call on Incentives Positive to Biodiversity, which sends a political signal in support of accelerated, equitable action tailored to national circumstances to advance Target 18. The second is the Friends of Target 18 group, envisioned as a voluntary, Party-led platform to maintain political momentum, exchange national experiences, share practical solutions and promote cooperation beyond COP17. The third is the Yerevan Biodiversity Finance Challenge, which aims to translate political commitments into action at the country level, including through incentive assessment and reform, biodiversity budgeting and biodiversity finance planning,” the official said.

She emphasized that these elements are intended to bring environment ministries together with ministries of finance, agriculture, economy and development. The initiative also seeks to engage central banks and financial supervisory authorities, banks, private financial institutions and businesses, philanthropic organizations and civil society.

“The initiatives are designed for sustained work. After COP17, their governance and working mechanisms are expected to be put in place, plans developed, and technical and policy dialogues organized. Support tailored to countries’ needs will begin on the basis of available partners and resources. Progress will be monitored through national reports and the initiatives’ work plans, and the results are also expected to be presented at COP18. It is important to us that the cooperation established at the conference continues and delivers measurable results,” Grigoryan concluded.

COP17 President, Armenia’s Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan has met with Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of the State of Qatar.

“We discussed prospects for advancing bilateral environmental relations between Armenia and Qatar, exploring opportunities for cooperation in biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resource management, and addressing climate change,” Matevosyan said on social media.

“The second part of our meeting focused on ministerial negotiations at the upcoming COP17 in Armenia and Qatar’s active engagement in that process. We emphasized the importance of ministerial dialogue and coordinated efforts to translate biodiversity conservation commitments into tangible results,” he added.

COP17 President and Armenia’s Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan met with Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister of Environment of Nigeria.

“We discussed opportunities to expand bilateral environmental cooperation between Armenia and Nigeria and exchange experience, particularly in waste management and the reduction of plastic pollution. We also discussed ministerial negotiations under COP17, emphasizing the importance of Nigeria’s active engagement, constructive dialogue and joint efforts to translate global biodiversity commitments into tangible results,” Matevosyan said on social media.

Armenia and Georgia are cooperating, with the support of the OSCE, on assessing and preventing cross-border forest fire risks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Robert Abisoghomonyan said during an event titled “Strengthening Ecosystems, Securing the Future: Cross-Border Cooperation between Armenia and Georgia,” held on the sidelines of COP17.

He said that Armenia and Georgia are friendly and brotherly countries with a long history of cooperation in connectivity, sustainable development, and environmental protection.

“Forest fires are a clear example of a challenge that recognizes no state borders. Addressing such risks requires information sharing, coordination of preparedness, and the pooling of efforts by relevant institutions operating on both sides of the border. This is precisely what Armenia and Georgia are doing with the support of the OSCE,” Abisoghomonyan said.

He said that environmental cooperation between Armenia and Georgia is an important component of bilateral relations, and its significance lies not only in addressing specific risks but also in bringing together institutions, experts, and communities around shared priorities.

“This is an important aspect of our strategic partnership. It demonstrates how bilateral relations can bring tangible benefits to people, especially those living in border regions, whose livelihoods and well-being depend on the sustainable management of natural resources,” he said, adding that implementing the global biodiversity framework requires approaches that take into account the environmental and geographical characteristics of each region.

Karlo Amirgulashvili, Head of the Forest Policy Department at Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, described forest fires as a serious challenge for Georgia and the entire region.

“We are all committed to taking the necessary steps to address their causes and consequences,” he said, emphasizing that the measures being implemented not only contribute to forest fire management but also provide an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Armenia and Georgia.

COP17 President and Armenian Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan met with Katrin Schneeberger, State Secretary and Director of the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment.

“I expressed my gratitude for the continued support provided to Armenia’s environmental sector, emphasizing the role of the FORACCA program in sustainable forest management, enhancing resilience to climate change, and improving living conditions in rural communities,” the Armenian Minister of Environment said on social media.

The meeting also addressed cooperation within the framework of COP17. Matevosyan emphasized the need to translate global commitments to biodiversity conservation into tangible and measurable results on the ground.

COP17 President and Armenia’s Minister of Environment, Hambardzum Matevosyan, held a bilateral meeting with India’s Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav.

The ministers discussed opportunities to strengthen environmental cooperation, exchange expertise, and implement joint initiatives.

The meeting also addressed cooperation within the COP17 ministerial negotiations and international efforts to conserve biodiversity.

Particular attention was given to cooperation through the International Big Cat Alliance, including joint efforts to protect threatened species and their habitats. For Armenia, this is especially relevant to its priority of conserving the leopard and restoring its population.

Ensuring food security amid continued global population growth, climate change and limited agricultural land depends, among other things, on the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic diversity, Dr. Kent Nnadozie, Secretary of the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, told Armenpress in an interview.

He said that preserving local varieties of agricultural crops, increasing their yields and enhancing their ability to adapt to changing climatic conditions are essential to meeting the growing demand for food in the future.

He emphasized that biodiversity conservation and the development of sustainable agriculture are interconnected goals.

“Following the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity, countries realized that it did not fully cover certain issues related to genetic resources and biodiversity, and that a specific, specialized set of tools was needed to take into account the particular characteristics of the agricultural sector. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was also initially developed and adopted in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity,” Nnadozie said.

According to him, the objectives of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Convention on Biological Diversity fully coincide. The only difference is that the International Treaty focuses on sustainable agriculture and food security.

“Given that both instruments share the same objectives, they both contribute to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the achievement of its targets. In addition, both instruments set similar goals and targets related to the sustainable use of genetic resources, access to them, and the sharing of benefits arising from their use,” he said.

Kent Nnadozie stressed that the objectives are the same. On the one hand, the aim is to conserve biodiversity and ensure that it is not lost; on the other, to guarantee that these resources are used sustainably for the survival of humanity, food security and the development of sustainable agriculture.

According to him, the Treaty is based on the recognition that crop diversity forms the basis of food production and agricultural production and, consequently, of food security.

“Therefore, one of the Treaty’s main objectives is to ensure that we do not lose the diversity of agricultural crops on which our food production depends, while also guaranteeing the sustainable use of this diversity. We must ensure that the varieties cultivated by farmers are not lost, especially those that have adapted to local conditions and on which farmers depend both for their livelihoods and for supplying food to the world. It is important that this diversity not only be conserved and used but also continuously improved so that crops can adapt to climate change, new environmental conditions, and new pests and diseases,” he said.

At the same time, according to Nnadozie, conserving and improving this diversity should help meet emerging food needs and adapt to changing consumption patterns. This is particularly important given continued global population growth and the limited amount of land available for agricultural production.

“Therefore, increased food production must be achieved by increasing crop yields. This increase in yields can be achieved by using the genetic diversity already available to us, enabling us to produce more food with limited land and resources. This is the contribution of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture to global food security. In addition, indicators developed on the basis of data received from the Treaty’s Contracting Parties contribute to monitoring the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” he emphasized.

The Secretary of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture noted that the Treaty works closely with the Convention on Biological Diversity, both at the level of the secretariats of the two instruments and at the intergovernmental level.

“The purpose of this cooperation is to ensure that we all fulfill our commitments, implement the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and achieve the outcomes it sets out,” Kent Nnadozie concluded.

Suriname’s Minister of Oil, Gas and Environment Patrick Brunings believes that coordinating efforts is crucial to addressing environmental challenges. In his view, climate change and biodiversity are closely interconnected and concern every country without exception.

Below is Patrick Brunings’ full interview with Armenpress and Armenian Public Television.

Minister, what are your impressions of COP17? What would you say about the organisation and progress of the conference?

First, I would like to warmly welcome and commend Armenia’s organisation of COP17. My first impression of Armenia is, of course, that it is a beautiful country with very warm and, I think, very happy people. In that respect, it resembles Suriname, where we are also happy and friendly, so I feel completely at home here.

As for the organisation, I must say it deserves praise. From the logistics to the meetings, the building, the venue and the meetings themselves, everything has been handled very professionally. I congratulate the organisers on arranging the conference so wonderfully. In short, my assessment of the organisation is unequivocally positive.

You also attended the meeting of environment ministers. What important issues did you discuss with your counterparts?

Our delegation agrees with most of the positions expressed during the negotiations and the statements made on various issues. We are satisfied with the positions and statements presented during the negotiations concerning biodiversity, climate change, planning, monitoring and reporting. In that respect, everything went quite well. Many approaches also align with Suriname’s position. Of course, we belong to various groups, such as GRULAC and SIDS, and agree with most of the statements presented, so we are satisfied with the current situation and the results achieved so far.

There are, of course, some points on which we would have liked to see or achieve more. But the essence of a COP is that the parties make compromises. The result is a statement that satisfies everyone.

Biodiversity is, naturally, extremely important to us. More than 90 per cent of our country is covered by forests rich in biodiversity. However, there are numerous threats, such as gold mining and wildlife poaching. These are therefore very important issues that we discussed. Financing was another important issue that concerns everyone. How can we access the funding available to our country to protect wildlife and biodiversity? This question was also raised and discussed.

Global environmental challenges concern every country. Do you think countries should step up their collective efforts to address them?

Yes, we see that coordinating our efforts is very important. As a country, we cannot do this alone. Armenia cannot do it alone either. That is why we must join forces and recognise that we are in a crisis.

Sometimes, however, it seems as though there is no crisis: countries carry on as usual while we discuss various issues, because humanity is beginning to lose its sense of urgency. We need to sit down together more often to discuss how we can join forces and address environmental problems. Climate change and biodiversity are closely interconnected.

We therefore need more effective cooperation. I see too many problems being dealt with in isolation. Everyone is, of course, focused on their own problems. Every country has its financial and economic challenges. But how can we address large-scale problems using only our own resources? There is also a danger that neglecting certain problems could weaken the sense of urgency surrounding them.

Your country is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. How do you intend to address this?

Suriname is a low-lying country and is therefore very vulnerable to rising sea levels. This is one of the consequences of climate change that concerns us greatly. Fortunately, we have a heavily forested coastline, so we are paying close attention to conserving these ecosystems as we address this challenge. We are studying how forests can play an important role as sea levels rise by helping protect coastal areas.

Then there is the question of agriculture. How will higher temperatures affect agriculture? We are also focusing on this issue and conducting various studies. In particular, we are examining whether crops need to be adapted to climate change. How will our current crops withstand rising temperatures? And, of course, we must not forget the forests themselves.

We are also concerned about what will happen when temperatures rise by several degrees. Will this affect our forests? Will forest fires become more frequent? Will trees die? I am convinced that all this will affect not only Suriname itself but the entire world, because we help remove greenhouse gases. This is, of course, an enormous contribution globally.

We are deeply concerned that climate change could affect the forests and the people living in them. Everything is interconnected when it comes to biodiversity, so we call on the international community to help us protect this forest ecosystem.

Suriname faces threats associated with gold mining, as well as the need to protect its tropical forests. This requires adequate funding. The question is how to raise the money to protect the forests.

We are also becoming an oil- and gas-producing country, so we will direct some of the proceeds towards forest protection. It may seem contradictory: on the one hand, we have vast areas of forest, and on the other, we are developing the oil and gas industry. However, we want to use that revenue specifically to protect tropical forests so that, ultimately, we can help remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

Suriname has had a carbon-negative economy since 2014. How will you address this challenge?

This is, of course, about oil and gas production. Yes, we plan to develop the oil and gas sector, but our aim is to use those resources to protect the environment. We envisage production over, say, 20–30 years. A substantial share of the revenue will go towards the long-term conservation of tropical forests. That is the idea.

It may seem paradoxical at first, because we face many difficulties in obtaining funding from international organisations. If international financing becomes available, our dependence on oil and gas will decrease. At some point, we may even decide that we no longer need to produce oil and gas.

At this stage, however, we cannot wait for the international community to provide us with funding, because that takes a long time. To some extent, that is our current position.

While in Armenia, have you had time to see the sights of Yerevan?

Yes, although I have had very little time, as I arrived on Sunday. But I went straight to the Cascade. It was very pleasant there.

This evening, if I have the opportunity, I will explore Yerevan, because I love culture. I can see that Armenia has a truly rich culture with very ancient roots. Armenians have their own alphabet, their own script and many cultural stories. Perhaps I will visit Armenia again, because I think it is a wonderful country.

The European Union will work with international partners to increase investment in biodiversity conservation and mobilise private financing, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall said at a briefing for journalists in COP17’s Blue Zone press room.

She said nature was fundamental to food security, health, the economy and resilience, while biodiversity was the foundation of life.

“We have a global framework for action on nature and ambitious goals to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. Our challenge now is to accelerate implementation. To do that, we need decisions that deliver progress,” Roswall said.

She added that the European Union would continue working with international partners to develop innovative approaches, encourage private investment and ensure that it delivers measurable biodiversity conservation outcomes. She stressed the importance of mobilising additional resources to narrow the biodiversity funding gap.

Ireland’s Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said COP17 should go beyond drawing up plans and help ensure their implementation.

He said Ireland had been among the first countries to submit a national nature restoration plan.

Turning to the Cali Fund, he said its establishment had generated considerable enthusiasm because it could finance biodiversity and nature conservation projects. However, the minister said the fund was not yet operational.

“I hope the discussions taking place over the coming hours will enable us to reach agreement on this issue as well,” he added.