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Armenia has set itself highly ambitious goals as COP17 president, UK Ambassador to Armenia Alexandra Cole said in a briefing with correspondents from Armenpress and Armenian Public Television’s Lurer news programme.
She expressed hope that the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, being held in Armenia, would turn global dialogue into practical action.
“The work we are doing over these two weeks can be summed up by the slogan ‘From Agreement to Action’. We need to develop clear pathways to set aside 30 per cent of the planet’s area for nature conservation by 2030.
“I think there are two possible approaches to industrial activity in Armenia. One is to follow the best standards and protect the environment, whether in water resources, energy, mining or other sectors. The other is to take the quick and easy route, potentially without adequate safeguards. We hope that these two weeks will produce policies and agreements that steer industry towards the first option rather than the second.
“At the same time, we hope that participants in this successful COP will have a wonderful time, want to return to Armenia and enjoy this country’s incredible biodiversity,” Cole said.
Asked about the current state of bilateral relations between Armenia and the United Kingdom, the ambassador stressed that the two countries had created an excellent environment for cooperation.
“During the year I have been here, I have found myself busier than ever, and I really enjoy that. But I think it is striking that when you ask people about Armenia’s partners, they often mention France, the European Union and, of course, the United States. Now they also mention the United Kingdom, and I am truly proud that we are among them,” the UK ambassador to Armenia said.