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Armenia has presented its preparations and priorities for hosting the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in Yerevan during a high-level briefing at the UN Office in Vienna, highlighting its plans to advance global biodiversity commitments and international cooperation.
The high-level briefing was organized by the Permanent Mission of Armenia in Vienna.
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomonyan delivered a keynote address.
According to the Foreign Ministry readout, the Deputy Foreign Minister presented the ongoing work and initiatives carried out under Armenia’s COP17 presidency, as well as organizational details of the conference. He emphasized Armenia’s readiness to ensure an inclusive and transparent conference with the full participation of all stakeholders.
The Deputy Foreign Minister noted that the conference will be a turning point for the first global review of progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), assessing achievements, identifying gaps, and addressing challenges. It was also highlighted that discussions at the conference will focus on ways to advance the implementation of the global biodiversity framework in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Abisoghomonyan also presented details of the upcoming Leaders’ Summit ahead of the conference, stressing the importance of providing strategic direction and political momentum at the highest level for biodiversity conservation issues. Attention was also drawn to the subsequent high-level ministerial segment, which will help advance decision-making during the conference.
The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring the active engagement of international organizations based in Vienna in advancing the biodiversity agenda. In this context, he highlighted the importance of fully utilizing their sectoral expertise and professional potential, as well as implementing joint events and initiatives ahead of and during the conference.
In conclusion, Abisoghomonyan stated that the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in Yerevan will serve as an important platform for the international community to move from commitments to implementation.
The briefing also featured remarks by Armenia’s Permanent Representative to Vienna, Andranik Hovhannisyan, as well as senior representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The event was attended by accredited ambassadors and permanent representatives in Vienna, diplomats, and representatives of international organizations. It was followed by a Q&A session, during which Armenia’s efforts to organize an effective and results-oriented conference were highly praised.