From Lake Sevan conservation to international cooperation: Environment Minister outlines expectations for COP17
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The US$1.4 million in support approved for conserving Lake Sevan’s ecosystem is not the only funding available, as Armenia is also working with international partners on other projects.
COP17 President and Armenian Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan said this at a press conference held during the conference, responding to a question about the Lake Sevan conservation programme.
“I am pleased that US$1.4 million has been approved, but this is not the only funding. Nor is this the only programme we are working on and discussing with our partners. We are talking about multilateral action and cooperation,” Matevosyan said.
The minister stressed Lake Sevan’s particular importance for Armenia’s natural environment and economy. He said the lake was an important freshwater reserve and played a major role both in tourism and fishing-related activities in Gegharkunik Province and in the economy of the country as a whole.
Matevosyan said the programmes being implemented aimed to conserve the lake’s biodiversity, ensure water quality and clean up its basin. He also highlighted the involvement of various state institutions and the public, stressing that environment ministries could not address these challenges alone.
Turning to the expected outcomes of COP17, the minister said it was too early to make a final assessment.
“I cannot speak about COP17’s final outcome because COP17 has not ended, and, in essence, it will not end on 30 October either. COP17 will continue, and its legacy will continue until the end of the next two years,” he said.
Matevosyan gave a positive assessment of the conference’s first week. He said that, given the packed agenda, delegates and the conference bureau had agreed to work on Saturday and Sunday as well. The minister expressed hope that productive work would continue during the second week, with the participation of high-level representatives.