On March 3, RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan received Astrid Schumaker, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

Minister Mirzoyan congratulated Astrid Schumaker on successfully holding the 16th Meeting of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention in Rome, in which the RA delegation was also actively involved. The RA Foreign Minister noted that Armenia has a great responsibility to host the next COP17 conference and informed that a number of steps have already been taken to successfully hold it.

Ararat Mirzoyan presented the ongoing work, emphasizing that coordination is carried out at the RA Government level, involving all interested circles. The RA Foreign Minister emphasized the effective and inclusive organization of the conference and the importance of close cooperation with international partners, including the Convention Secretariat.

Astrid Schumaker noted: “It is essential for us to see Armenia’s advancement as a biodiversity pioneer on the global stage over the next two years. From today on, we are one team; we must work hand in hand to make COP17 a true success. We are very optimistic that it will be a successful conference and a wonderful opportunity for people from all over the world to discover Armenia and get to know your culture.”

At the meeting, both sides emphasized the special importance of COP17, considering that it will be the first global review of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework developed under the Convention.

The interlocutors discussed the COP17 agenda, including the formation of substantive priorities, ensuring inclusiveness, and raising public awareness.