Pashinyan: Armenia Aims for Practical Results During Its COP17 Presidency
19.10.2026,
09:11
Armenia intends to use its presidency of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) to consolidate international efforts and achieve concrete results in the conservation and restoration of biodiversity.
YEREVAN, October 19. /ARKA/. Armenia intends to use its presidency of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) to consolidate international efforts and achieve concrete results in the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. This was stated by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, at the opening ceremony of the conference in Yerevan on Sunday.
According to him, the Armenian side aims not only to facilitate the adoption of new international commitments but also to accelerate the implementation of existing agreements, expand opportunities for cooperation, and enhance the effectiveness of contributions from individual countries and partners.
Pashinyan noted that, in the lead-up to COP17, Yerevan served as a platform for dialogue among world leaders and representatives from various sectors of society, with the goal of developing a shared vision and strengthening collective responsibility for nature conservation.
"Our message was clear: biodiversity conservation must remain a priority on the political agenda, and the commitments made must be translated into concrete steps and tangible results," the Prime Minister emphasized.
He pointed out that a key objective of the Yerevan conference will be to assess progress made, identify persistent challenges, and agree on priority measures necessary to fulfill international obligations.
The head of government drew attention to the fact that only four years remain until 2030, yet a significant gap persists between the global goals that have been set and their practical implementation.
In this context, he noted, political leadership, consistency in action, and the willingness of states to cooperate take on a particularly important role. "May Yerevan be remembered not only as a place where we take stock of the progress we have achieved, but also as a place where we have reaffirmed our commitment and determination to fully implement the obligations we have undertaken," stated Pashinyan.
The Prime Minister expressed his hope that the conference in Yerevan would provide fresh momentum for accelerating the realization of global biodiversity goals for 2030.
"Let this be the moment when we move from words to action, and from fragmentation to cooperation. This means 'Taking Action for Nature,'" he concluded.
About the conference
COP17 is the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, which brings nations together to develop joint measures for the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of natural resources. It is taking place in Yerevan from October 19 to 30.
This is the first time Armenia has hosted a conference of such scale; the country will hold the presidency of COP17 for two years, until the next conference in 2028. During the event, representatives from the parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity will discuss the fulfillment of international commitments regarding nature conservation, ecosystem restoration, and the protection of endangered animal and plant species.
A key focus will be the first global review of the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022. The document outlines 23 global targets to be met by 2030, including the conservation of at least 30% of the planet’s land and marine areas.
Particular attention will be given to mobilizing financial resources for conservation efforts, attracting private investment, and expanding international cooperation. About the Leaders for Nature Summit
Ahead of COP17, the "Leaders for Nature Summit" took place in Yerevan on October 15–16. The plenary session concluded with the presentation of the "Yerevan Declaration Taking Action for Nature." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Armenia released the full text of the declaration on Sunday.
The document reaffirms a commitment to implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve the goal of living in harmony with nature by 2050.
About the Kunming-Montreal Framework
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted in December 2022. It comprises four long-term goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030, focused on the conservation and restoration of nature, the sustainable use of biological resources, and the mobilization of funding.
According to him, the Armenian side aims not only to facilitate the adoption of new international commitments but also to accelerate the implementation of existing agreements, expand opportunities for cooperation, and enhance the effectiveness of contributions from individual countries and partners.
Pashinyan noted that, in the lead-up to COP17, Yerevan served as a platform for dialogue among world leaders and representatives from various sectors of society, with the goal of developing a shared vision and strengthening collective responsibility for nature conservation.
"Our message was clear: biodiversity conservation must remain a priority on the political agenda, and the commitments made must be translated into concrete steps and tangible results," the Prime Minister emphasized.
He pointed out that a key objective of the Yerevan conference will be to assess progress made, identify persistent challenges, and agree on priority measures necessary to fulfill international obligations.
The head of government drew attention to the fact that only four years remain until 2030, yet a significant gap persists between the global goals that have been set and their practical implementation.
In this context, he noted, political leadership, consistency in action, and the willingness of states to cooperate take on a particularly important role. "May Yerevan be remembered not only as a place where we take stock of the progress we have achieved, but also as a place where we have reaffirmed our commitment and determination to fully implement the obligations we have undertaken," stated Pashinyan.
The Prime Minister expressed his hope that the conference in Yerevan would provide fresh momentum for accelerating the realization of global biodiversity goals for 2030.
"Let this be the moment when we move from words to action, and from fragmentation to cooperation. This means 'Taking Action for Nature,'" he concluded.
About the conference
COP17 is the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, which brings nations together to develop joint measures for the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of natural resources. It is taking place in Yerevan from October 19 to 30.
This is the first time Armenia has hosted a conference of such scale; the country will hold the presidency of COP17 for two years, until the next conference in 2028. During the event, representatives from the parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity will discuss the fulfillment of international commitments regarding nature conservation, ecosystem restoration, and the protection of endangered animal and plant species.
A key focus will be the first global review of the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022. The document outlines 23 global targets to be met by 2030, including the conservation of at least 30% of the planet’s land and marine areas.
Particular attention will be given to mobilizing financial resources for conservation efforts, attracting private investment, and expanding international cooperation. About the Leaders for Nature Summit
Ahead of COP17, the "Leaders for Nature Summit" took place in Yerevan on October 15–16. The plenary session concluded with the presentation of the "Yerevan Declaration Taking Action for Nature." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Armenia released the full text of the declaration on Sunday.
The document reaffirms a commitment to implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve the goal of living in harmony with nature by 2050.
About the Kunming-Montreal Framework
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted in December 2022. It comprises four long-term goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030, focused on the conservation and restoration of nature, the sustainable use of biological resources, and the mobilization of funding.
