Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment of the RA, participated in the “Business and Finance Day” event, held within the framework of the 12th Plenary Session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-12) in Manchester. The Minister delivered a speech presenting the Ministry’s priorities and cooperation opportunities in the fields of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services valuation.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and “Aviva” for initiating this important discussion, emphasizing that nature and biodiversity form the foundation of the economy and sustainable development.
He noted that biodiversity loss has become one of the greatest global risks, affecting economic resilience, public health, and financial stability. In this context, he highlighted the importance of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the need to accelerate actions to achieve the 2030 targets.
Minister Matevosyan particularly stressed the role of the private sector and finance in closing the finance gap for nature, aligning financial flows with biodiversity goals, and applying innovative tools to support sustainable practices.
He also referred to the Business and Biodiversity Assessment, approved at IPBES- 12, as a scientific roadmap that helps businesses evaluate their dependence on nature, reduce negative impacts, and transition to nature-positive operations.
The Minister noted that the 17th Meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), to be held in Yerevan in October 2026 under the slogan “Taking Action for Nature,” could serve as a key milestone, positioning the private sector as a powerful driver of success in biodiversity conservation.