"Armenia is working diplomatic miracles": Guterres praises COP17 organization
15.10.2026,
16:54
During a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Armenia on the high level of organization of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), noting the Armenian side's exceptional diplomatic skills.
YEREVAN, October 15. /ARKA/. During a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Armenia on the high level of organization of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), noting the Armenian side's exceptional diplomatic skills.
"I want to congratulate Armenia because this conference has been organized extremely well. My colleagues tell me that it is always difficult to reach a joint statement or consensus during negotiations. Armenia has demonstrated exceptional diplomatic skills, working miracles by bringing together diverse opinions and viewpoints," the Armenian government's press service quoted the UN Secretary-General as saying.
According to him, the quality of Armenian leadership and diplomacy stands out in all areas where COP operates, such as biodiversity and climate.
For his part, Pashinyan noted that COP17 is the largest event ever organized in Armenia and expressed confidence that it would be conducted at a high level.
The Prime Minister welcomed Guterres's visit, highlighting that he is the second UN Secretary-General to visit Armenia. Pashinyan also emphasized the importance of their joint work over the past eight years against the backdrop of changes occurring globally and in the region.
During the meeting, the parties exchanged views regarding the hosting of COP17 and the upcoming discussions.
COP17 in Yerevan
From October 18 to 30, 2026, Yerevan will host the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) under the theme "Acting for Nature." The event will bring together representatives from governments, international organizations, the scientific community, civil society, and the business sector.
The central focus of the conference will be the first global assessment of the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022, which outlines 23 targets to be achieved by 2030, including the conservation of at least 30% of the planet’s land and marine areas.
Leading up to the conference, a leaders' summit is scheduled for October 16 in Yerevan, and a high-level segment featuring government ministers will take place from October 27 to 28.
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"I want to congratulate Armenia because this conference has been organized extremely well. My colleagues tell me that it is always difficult to reach a joint statement or consensus during negotiations. Armenia has demonstrated exceptional diplomatic skills, working miracles by bringing together diverse opinions and viewpoints," the Armenian government's press service quoted the UN Secretary-General as saying.
According to him, the quality of Armenian leadership and diplomacy stands out in all areas where COP operates, such as biodiversity and climate.
For his part, Pashinyan noted that COP17 is the largest event ever organized in Armenia and expressed confidence that it would be conducted at a high level.
The Prime Minister welcomed Guterres's visit, highlighting that he is the second UN Secretary-General to visit Armenia. Pashinyan also emphasized the importance of their joint work over the past eight years against the backdrop of changes occurring globally and in the region.
During the meeting, the parties exchanged views regarding the hosting of COP17 and the upcoming discussions.
COP17 in Yerevan
From October 18 to 30, 2026, Yerevan will host the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) under the theme "Acting for Nature." The event will bring together representatives from governments, international organizations, the scientific community, civil society, and the business sector.
The central focus of the conference will be the first global assessment of the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022, which outlines 23 targets to be achieved by 2030, including the conservation of at least 30% of the planet’s land and marine areas.
Leading up to the conference, a leaders' summit is scheduled for October 16 in Yerevan, and a high-level segment featuring government ministers will take place from October 27 to 28.
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