Cabinet members highlight importance of hosting COP17 as Armenia assumes presidency

Armenia, which holds the presidency of COP17, will host the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Yerevan on October 19–30.

Armenian Cabinet members have highlighted the importance of hosting the conference, citing its international significance and the opportunities it offers to advance biodiversity conservation and cooperation across various sectors.

Speaking to Armenpress ahead of the opening of the Leaders’ Summit within the framework of COP17, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan emphasized that Armenia had never before hosted an event of such scale and that the presence of large delegations in the country was significant in itself.

“The agenda is also important because biodiversity and nature conservation are among Armenia’s important priorities. In this context, it is particularly important for us that, within the framework of COP17, we are assuming and bringing to a close a certain phase of this responsibility,” he said.

Asked what practical steps could be expected from such events, the minister said that the conference’s focus on biodiversity was very important in itself. He added that the event also offered a good opportunity to engage with representatives of different countries and sectoral experts.

“I think our partners in Armenia, regardless of the sector in which they operate, will be able to make real use of this opportunity,” Khudatyan said.

Asked about the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure’s role in organizing COP17, the minister explained that a working group had been established under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment.

“We have tried to properly fulfill all the tasks assigned to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure within that group. These included matters related to the State Property Management Committee and road construction work,” he said.

Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence Davit Tadevosyan also told Armenpress that it was a great honor and responsibility for Armenia to host COP17. 

“And, if I am not mistaken, this is the first year that we are required to report on what humanity pledged to nature in Montreal in 2022 and assess what it has managed to achieve over the years. That is why I consider this conference very important.

“First and foremost, this is an event dedicated to biodiversity, which has particular significance. Let me explain what I mean. Humanity now has the technical and technological tools to monitor changes in nature in almost real time. These include satellite imagery and tools for analyzing it using artificial intelligence, various types of sensors, and so on. In other words, we can observe, assess and understand in real time the impact our activities have on nature. I do not want to claim that all technological challenges related to biodiversity conservation have been fully resolved, but the range of available tools is expanding year by year. I hope that, in the foreseeable future, the use of these tools will also be incorporated into legislation, enabling more informed decisions on biodiversity conservation,” he said.

Asked what message Armenia would convey at the conference, the minister replied:

“I think Armenia was not chosen to host the conference by chance. Despite our small territory, we have rich biodiversity and a wealth of plant and animal species, and it is our responsibility to preserve them. In a way, this event may be a promise we make to ourselves, a commitment to work in that direction. What matters to me is what will remain in Armenia after this event: new scientific partnerships, new research programs and perhaps the establishment of a basis for cooperation in our professional fields.”

Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan also stressed that Armenia was hosting an event of this scale for the first time and that it was important for the country to establish its place on the map of major international conferences and events.

“As you know, Armenia has rich biodiversity, and our task is to protect nature through active and effective measures, including by addressing the impact of environmental issues on human health. As part of the conference, we will hold a separate session dedicated to health protection and the effects of nature and climate change on human health. These two topics are interconnected, and health-related issues are taking on an increasingly prominent role at all COP conferences. Today, countries are shaping their policies within the framework of the ‘One Health’ concept. This means that human health, animal health and, more broadly, the health of nature and our environment cannot be considered separately; they must be addressed within a single framework,” the Armenian minister of health said.

Asked whether she considered it a serious problem that many pandemics result from human intervention, the improper treatment of nature and the careless treatment of wildlife, Avanesyan responded:

“Of course. Climate change also contributes to the increased prevalence of certain infectious diseases and diseases transmitted to humans by insects or animals. This is a very important challenge, and health systems must build resilience to it. Human impact on nature must also be such that we preserve what we have inherited and pass it on to future generations.”