COP17 Green Zone in Armenia to host hundreds of scientific, cultural and environmental initiatives

As part of COP17—the Seventeenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)—to be hosted in Yerevan, Armenia, a Green Zone will operate from October 19 to 30 at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex, providing a platform for events involving civil society, the scientific community, businesses, and international partners.

Speaking to reporters, Lilit Midoyan, Chief Coordinator of the COP17 Green Zone, said the conference will be held across two main venues: the Blue Zone, which will be managed by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and located at the Meridian Expo Center, and the Green Zone, which will be hosted at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex.

"Shuttle services will operate between the two zones. The Green Zone will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It will feature several thematic areas, including a Science and Innovation Zone, where scientific and innovative projects related to biodiversity and environmental protection will be showcased, as well as a Cultural Zone, where visitors will be introduced to Armenia's cultural heritage through a variety of events," Midoyan said.

She said the Ministry of Environment will develop the agenda for the Green Zone's 12-day program, while the venue will also be open to partner organizations wishing to organize their own events and initiatives. The deadline for submitting session proposals is September 15.

"Applications will be evaluated based on three main criteria: scientific merit, alignment with environmental policy objectives, and technical feasibility. Individuals may not apply as session organizers, but organizations may host both public and closed events. Sessions may last 30, 60, or 90 minutes," she said, adding that all materials must be submitted electronically in advance, as storage devices will not be accepted at the venue.

Midoyan also noted that online participation by speakers will be available.

Simultaneous Armenian-English and English-Armenian interpretation will be provided for Green Zone events. If interpretation into other languages is required, organizers will be responsible for arranging it.

The Green Zone will also include a press center with capacity for approximately 90 media representatives.

In addition, around 100 exhibition booths will be installed in the grandstand area of the Sports and Concert Complex.

"The rental fee for each booth is AMD 1.44 million, including taxes, for the entire 12-day period. Organizers will also encourage environmentally responsible practices throughout the venue, including minimizing the use of plastic and other materials that may harm the environment," Midoyan said.

COP17 will unite representatives of the Parties to the Convention, alongside Indigenous peoples and local communities, civil society, scientists, youth, businesses and other stakeholders to advance global action for biodiversity.

The conference comes at a defining moment for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). For the first time since its adoption in 2022, countries will collectively review progress towards the Framework’s 23 targets, shifting the focus from commitments to evidence and from what was agreed to what has been achieved.

COP17 will provide a critical opportunity to assess collective progress, strengthen cooperation and accelerate action towards the global biodiversity goals for 2030.

Hosting COP17 places Armenia at the center of the global conversation on biodiversity. Although the country accounts for only 6.7% of the Caucasus by area, it contains approximately 60% of the region’s biodiversity and is home to diverse ecosystems and thousands of plant and animal species.

As the host, Armenia will welcome the international community to Yerevan, providing a platform for dialogue, cooperation and collective action while connecting global biodiversity priorities with its own rich natural heritage.