Minister: COP17 must translate global biodiversity goals into national policies and practical measures

Global biodiversity conservation goals must be translated into national policies, investment decisions, and practical measures that deliver measurable results, COP17 President and Armenia’s Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan said during a high-level meeting held as part of COP17 in Yerevan.

He said the first global review of collective progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is important because it will make it possible to assess the results achieved, identify areas where progress is insufficient, and understand what support countries need.

“The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework gives us a common direction. At COP17, we must translate its goals and targets into national policies, investment decisions, and practical measures that deliver measurable results,” Matevosyan said.

He noted that decisions related to nature conservation are also made in the areas of finance, agriculture, water resource management, and economic development. Therefore, the involvement of leaders can unite countries around a common goal, strengthen the political significance of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and ensure the necessary attention to addressing urgent challenges.

“Political attention must also be maintained during the negotiations to build on the achievements made, make additional efforts, and find mutually acceptable solutions. The presence of ministers must make a practical difference by helping resolve issues that remain unresolved during technical discussions,” he said.

Matevosyan added that Armenia, as the COP17 host country and Presidency, expects the active and constructive engagement of ministers and heads of delegations to overcome remaining differences, bring positions closer together, and establish the political guidance needed to reach agreement.

He assured that Armenia’s Presidency would continue to listen to all parties in order to reach common solutions.

“We have an obligation to future generations to act decisively while our decisions can still change the situation. Taking action for nature is our shared responsibility here in Yerevan. Let us fulfill this responsibility together,” Matevosyan added.