Aram Meymaryan, Deputy Minister of Environment of the RA met with Alexandra Cole, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Armenia.
Aram Meymaryan thanked the Ambassador for the meeting and for the United Kingdom’s interest in strengthening environmental cooperation and highlighted the United Kingdom’s support in the areas of environmental protection, climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.
The discussion focused on preparations for the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which Armenia will host and preside over. The importance of continued political and technical support from the United Kingdom, as well as expanded cooperation within the framework of the conference, was emphasised.
A key topic was the first global review of collective progress towards implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The importance of ensuring that the process is inclusive, transparent and action-oriented, as well as of effectively implementing the commitments undertaken, was highlighted.
Initiatives being developed under the COP17 Presidency were also presented. These aim to strengthen technological capacities for biodiversity monitoring, promote effective mechanisms for biodiversity conservation outside protected areas, expand positive incentives for biodiversity conservation, and ensure the conservation and restoration of mountain and freshwater ecosystems.
The parties emphasised the importance of continued close cooperation between Armenia and the United Kingdom to advance global biodiversity goals and achieve tangible results within the framework of COP17.