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Armenia is cooperating with Costa Rica on developing a database for the management of biological resources, an environmental official has said.
Tatevik Kirakosyan, acting head of the Biological Resources Management Department at Armenia’s Ministry of Environment, told Armenpress in an interview during COP17 that one of the main challenges for Armenia in this field is data accessibility.
“The most urgent issue for Armenia in terms of biological resources is data accessibility. This is the essential information on the basis of which decisions must be made, and those decisions must be sound, inclusive, and effective,” she said.
The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is being held in conjunction with the 12th meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CP-MOP-12) and the sixth meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (NP-MOP-6).
COP17 marks the first global review of collective progress toward implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The conference is expected to bring together around 15,000 representatives from 196 countries, as well as representatives of international organizations, the scientific community, civil society, and the private sector. The events are taking place in Yerevan from October 19 to 30.
Kirakosyan noted that COP17 provides an opportunity for representatives of 196 countries, international organizations, and civil society organizations to discuss shared challenges and ways to address them on a common platform.
She highlighted the Nagoya Protocol, which concerns the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.
“Armenia has recently ratified the protocol, which entered into force in September. We need the best examples of international practice that can be applied in countries like Armenia, which are rich in biodiversity. We have held several meetings with international organizations in this regard, and they are ready to help Armenia develop the database and the necessary systems, alongside improvements to the legislation,” Kirakosyan said.
According to her, an agreement has also been reached with Costa Rica on this issue.
“Costa Rica’s experience could be useful for Armenia, as the country has considerable experience in developing databases and legislation,” she said.
Addressing the significance of hosting COP17 in Armenia, Kirakosyan noted that it helps raise public awareness and increase the country’s international visibility.
“By hosting COP, Armenia contributes to discussions on global issues and the process of reaching agreement on solutions to them,” she said.
Addressing Lake Sevan’s fish stocks, Kirakosyan said their recovery was progressing quite well.
According to her, the results of studies showing an increase in fish stocks make it possible to raise the allowable catch quota.
“The quota of 550 tons approved at the beginning of the year is expected to be increased to 720 tons, which will be allocated. The increase in the quota is based on additional studies by scientists, which show that fish stocks have increased. It is good that there are stocks available that we can allocate,” she added.