Environment minister stresses need to turn political statements into agreed decisions and action at COP17

As COP17’s formal proceedings begin, political statements must be translated into agreed decisions and action.

Armenian Environment Minister and COP17 President Hambardzum Matevosyan said this at a joint press conference with Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

The minister announced that he had been elected COP17 President, describing the role as a responsibility both for him personally and for Armenia. He said Armenia would work over the next two years to translate the trust placed in it into collective efforts and tangible results.

Matevosyan highlighted the importance of the Leaders’ Summit and the adoption of the Yerevan Declaration. He said the previous day’s opening ceremony had also underlined the principle uniting participants: protecting nature as a shared responsibility.

“The conference’s formal proceedings began today. Our task is to translate political statements into agreed decisions and action,” the COP17 President stressed.

He said collective progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was central to the conference’s agenda.

“We must develop a shared understanding of where the gaps are and where additional resources need to be directed so that the targets set for 2030 can be achieved,” Matevosyan said.

He stressed that, as conference president, he would work to ensure open, transparent and inclusive dialogue based on mutual respect among the parties and a willingness to reach common solutions. Matevosyan reaffirmed his commitment to taking action for nature.

During his remarks, the minister thanked Astrid Schomaker and the Convention’s secretariat team for their cooperation in preparing the conference.