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Armenian Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan met with the UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, in Manchester, where he is attending the IPBES 12 meeting.
In a social media post, Matevosyan said the meeting focused on preparations for COP17, which Armenia will host this year, as well as opportunities to deepen the partnership.
During the discussion, the parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to contributing to the successful organization of COP17 and ensuring substantive outcomes. Emma Reynolds confirmed the United Kingdom’s readiness to support COP17, particularly through experience sharing and the provision of technical assistance.
"We placed special emphasis on the upcoming work related to the Cali Fund initiative. We discussed the possibility of strengthening Armenia’s capacities based on the UK’s experience through thematic workshops and advisory support, focusing on the outcomes of COP16, next steps, and private sector engagement. I would also like to note that Armenia joined the Friends of the Cali Fund group in December 2025. During the meeting, we addressed priority topics related to biodiversity conservation and the assessment of ecosystem services, highlighting the importance of integrating scientific assessment results into policy and programmatic decisions. I thank Ms. Reynolds for a constructive and practical discussion. I am confident that this dialogue and the deepening of our partnership will contribute to the success of COP17, strengthening the biodiversity agenda and the effectiveness of international cooperation," the minister said.