Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Monday received Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), informs the Armenian foreign ministry.

First, Mirzoyan congratulated Schomaker on the successful holding of the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Rome, in which the Armenian delegation was also actively engaged. The Armenian FM noted that it is a great responsibility for Armenia to host the next—COP17—conference, and noted that a number of measures have already been taken to successfully host it.

Also, Ararat Mirzoyan presented the ongoing work, emphasizing that its coordination is carried out at the level of the Armenian government, and engaging all interested circles. The Armenian FM emphasized the effective and inclusive organizing of COP17 and the importance of close cooperation with international partners, including the CBD secretariat, in this regard.

Astrid Schomaker, for her part, noted that it is very important for them to see Armenia’s advancement as a biodiversity pioneer on the global stage over the next two years. She added that from today on, they are one team, and they must work hand in hand to make COP17 a true success. Schomaker said that they are very optimistic that it will be a successful conference, as well as a wonderful opportunity for people from all over the world to discover Armenia and get to know Armenian culture

At the meeting, both parties 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 CBD.

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