The problem in achieving the goals set in biodiversity conservation is due to the fact that there is no unified system for translating global ambitions into national-level tasks and implementing them on the ground, and today Yerevan provides a unique chance to correct this course. Armenian Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan on Monday stated this at the plenary session of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, underway in Armenia’s capital, Yerevan.

The minister recalled the holding of the Leaders' Summit on Biodiversity in Yerevan last week, which has pushed biodiversity conservation issues to the forefront of high-level political dialogue.

According to him, the summit resulted in the adoption of the Yerevan Declaration, which reflects the general awareness that a shared commitment must be translated into practical steps.

Matevosyan emphasized that during this period, 129 national reports, 89 national strategies and action plans in biodiversity have been submitted, and 162 countries have already set their national targets.

Despite all these efforts, only less than half of the national targets are currently being implemented within the planned timeframes. That is why the Yerevan Path strategy is of key importance. It is necessary to agree on clear paths for future activities and accelerate the implementation of the outlined tasks, added the minister of environment of Armenia.

Armenia, as the country presiding over the Conference of the Parties, is ready to do its utmost to ensure that the concerns of all parties are heard and taken into account. In recent months, Armenia has consistently emphasized both the diversity of approaches and shared responsibility. It recognizes that the shortcomings in accountability do not yet mean inaction, and that the slowdown in progress may be due to a lack of resources and other factors, Matevosyan stated.

The main goal for the next two weeks is to resolve differences and ensure that COP17 produces results, taking into account that the challenges faced are too great to be addressed by local bodies alone, noted the Armenian environment Minister.