Reaffirming our commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the effective implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, we commit to fulfilling its core objective of halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity by 2030, in order to achieve the overarching goal of living in harmony with nature by 2050. This is stated in the Yerevan Declaration, which was adopted by the heads of state and government participating in the Leaders for Nature Summit, together with representatives of international organizations and other stakeholders.

The text of the declaration was read by Armenian Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan during the Leaders' Summit on Biodiversity on Friday in Yerevan.

The first global report on the implementation of this program testifies to the inadequacy of collective efforts and the progress recorded. There is an urgent need to accelerate the implementation of the program, which requires expanding international cooperation, strengthening practical measures, and improving implementation mechanisms, the declaration notes.

Recognizing that the first global review of collective progress in implementing the program provides a valuable opportunity to identify shortcomings, strengthen the exchange of experiences, and refine our collective efforts to fully achieve the goals and objectives set, we express our firm determination to translate our commitments into concrete actions at all levels that will yield long-term results, the declaration states.

We commit to strengthening the implementation of the program at the national level, using comprehensive approaches involving all government institutions and the whole of society, including integrated planning, effective environmental management, and consistent political leadership. We commit to improving the means to conserve, restore, manage, and sustainably use terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems, progressively raising our level of ambition and accelerating action where collective progress remains insufficient, the declaration says.

It is important to integrate biodiversity conservation issues into different sectors of public policy and the economy, as well as to ensure policy coherence in support of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, taking into account national conditions, priorities, and capabilities, the declaration notes.

The participants in the declaration emphasize the need to mobilize and increase financial resources for biodiversity conservation from all sources.

Commitments are made to improve monitoring, planning, reporting and analysis processes, to improve systems for collecting data and knowledge on biodiversity, as well as to promote science-based decision-making.

The importance of ensuring the full participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, cities and other local governments, the scientific community, civil society, business and financial circles, as well as other stakeholders in achieving the goals and objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is emphasized.

The task is to encourage and promote sustainable production and consumption patterns that contribute to halting and reversing the process of biodiversity loss in all sectors of the economy and finance.

Particular attention is paid to the need to intensify efforts to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources, including through a multilateral mechanism that includes an appropriate fund.

We emphasize the need to reach concrete, result-oriented agreements that will set out a clear plan of action already in the first phase of the implementation of the framework program, contributing to the achievement of all 23 targets. We call on the participants in the UN Conference on Biological Diversity to take into account the political vision and commitments enshrined in this declaration in their deliberations and when adopting final decisions, the declaration states.

Biodiversity loss is one of the most serious challenges of our time. However, addressing this problem opens up unprecedented opportunities to transform humanity’s relationship with nature and build a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future. We call on all stakeholders to translate their commitments into concrete actions, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate the implementation of the identified programs. Only in this way can we ensure long-term results that benefit people, the planet, and contribute to shared prosperity, the Yerevan Declaration concludes.