The "Road to COP17" initiative, implemented by the Ministry of Environment of the RA and the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment in partnership with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), was launched today at the American University of Armenia.
The event marks an important new stage in Armenia's environmental policy and its fulfillment of international commitments. It served as a platform uniting the voices of the state, academic, international, and civil communities to coordinate and target joint efforts toward biodiversity conservation.
Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment of the RA, delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming COP17 conference, Armenia’s readiness to host it, and the guiding principles of the country’s environmental strategy. 
Françoise Jacob, UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia; Bruce Boghosian, President of the American University of Armenia (AUA); and Alen Amirkhanian, Director of the AUA Acopian Center for the Environmental also delivered remarks.
Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan, in his remarks, noted:
“Armenia joined the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1993 and has since been consistently fulfilling its commitments. Today, our country is guided by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, with a clear strategy and action plans that serve not only as a political guide but also as a practical roadmap. By 2030, Armenia envisions a future where biodiversity conservation is regarded not as a standalone environmental issue, but as a pillar of national security, economic development, and social stability."
The Minister expressed his gratitude to the UN Office in Armenia, the Convention on Biological Diversity team, and all international and local partners, as well as representatives of the scientific community, youth, and civil society, for their active engagement and shared commitment to effective cooperation.
The Road to COP17 initiative provides a unique opportunity to consolidate national efforts and present Armenia’s ambitious yet realistic agenda on international platforms, benefiting nature, people, and future generations.
Armenia remains committed to this important path, recognizing that only through united efforts can we achieve a greener, more sustainable, and more vibrant future.
The event featured addresses by Voskehat Grigoryan, Head of the Department of Specially Protected Nature Areas and Biodiversity Policy at the Ministry of Environment of the RA; Arsen Gasparyan, Biodiversity researcher at the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment; and Areg Karapetyan, Institute of Botany after A. Takhtajyan NAS RA, Team Lead for Armenia’s NBSAP 2025–2030.