Within the framework of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment of the RA, met with Hon Lynda Tabuya, Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change of Fiji, and Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change.
During the meeting, Hambardzum Matevosyan expressed his gratitude to Fiji for its active engagement at COP17 and its contribution to reaching agreements during the complex negotiations.
He particularly acknowledged Sivendra Michael’s contribution to aligning the positions of the various parties and supporting the work of the Armenian Presidency. The Fijian partners highly commended the organisation and conduct of COP17 in Armenia, as well as the decisions adopted, most notably the “Yerevan Pathway”, for their role in accelerating the implementation of global biodiversity conservation goals.
The parties discussed opportunities for further cooperation in biodiversity conservation and climate change action. Hambardzum Matevosyan emphasised Armenia’s readiness to continue joint efforts towards implementing the decisions reached in Yerevan.
The discussions also covered adaptation to the impacts of climate change and strengthening ecosystem resilience. The Minister underscored the need to advance climate and biodiversity goals in an integrated manner through the provision of financing, capacity-building and access to technology.
Hambardzum Matevosyan also emphasised the importance of strengthening synergies among the three UN conventions on climate change, biodiversity and combating desertification through the coordination and complementarity of actions undertaken within their respective frameworks.