Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment of the RA, participated in the preparatory event for the CBD #CoP17 Presidency titled “Enhancing Policy Synergy Between Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Action.” Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity also attended the event.
In his speech, Minister Matevosyan highlighted that hosting COP17 in 2026 represents both a great responsibility and a unique opportunity for Armenia.
“Our goal is to create an open, inclusive, and collaborative platform where state institutions, civil society, youth, the private sector, and the scientific community work together to develop real solutions. Climate change and biodiversity loss are interrelated crises, and the policies addressing them must be equally interconnected. Nationally defined actions and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans must evolve in a unified and complementary manner, not in parallel. Healthy ecosystems are the foundation for both climate stability and the safe development of communities, and nature-based solutions will therefore be at the heart of our work at #CoP17,” the Minister stated.
Minister Matevosyan reaffirmed the Republic of Armenia’s commitment to building on the legacy of COP16 and ensuring a new phase of progress.