Effective multilateralism is an important element of Armenia’s foreign policy. Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan stated this during Sunday’s opening ceremony of 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

He noted that against the background of profound changes in international relations, “geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and competing national priorities are placing increasing pressure on international institutions and established mechanisms of cooperation.”

“In these circumstances, the relevance of the United Nations, other respective international institutions and the principles of multilateralism provide a framework within which States, regardless of their resources, capabilities or political differences, can engage on an equal footing, reconcile divergent interests and pursue common objectives,” he added.

“The Convention on Biological Diversity represents an important example of such cooperation. Its achievements over more than three decades demonstrate the capacity of States to establish common objectives while accommodating diverse national circumstances,” Mirzoyan noted. “The adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022 was a significant collective achievement. The task now is to ensure that the undertaken commitments are matched by sustained engagement and practical implementation.” the Armenian official stated.

COP17 will for the first time conduct a global assessment of collective progress towards achieving biodiversity conservation goals. This will make it possible to determine how effectively countries are fulfilling their commitments and what additional measures are needed. “Armenia's decision to host COP17 and moreover to hold the Leaders’ Summit on Biodiversity reflects our commitment to contributing actively to these international processes and assuming the responsibilities that accompany them,” Mirzoyan said.

“For Armenia, the protection of biodiversity is also a matter of direct national relevance. Our country's varied landscapes and ecosystems are an important part of our natural heritage and require responsible protection and preservation. Hosting COP17 provides an opportunity to connect this national responsibility with our contribution to the global effort to protect and restore nature,” the Armenian foreign minister noted.

“We see the Presidency not as an end in itself, but as an opportunity to help Parties build trust, bridge differences and advance a common agenda,” the foreign minister stated. “We hope that the dialogue we will continue to facilitate throughout the Conference and the upcoming two-years presidency will contribute to adopting decisions that take into account the interests of all Parties and advance our shared objectives,” he added.

“The importance of biodiversity on the international agenda extends well beyond environmental protection. Biodiversity, climate change, food security and sustainable development are closely interconnected. Decisions taken in one area increasingly have implications for others, creating both opportunities and challenges for national policies and international cooperation.

This calls for closer coordination across these areas and greater attention to their interconnections in implementing our commitments,” Mirzoyan said.