The 30th session of the Working Group of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention was held in Geneva from 24 to 26 June. Marie Chakryan, Legal Adviser to the Ministry of Environment of the RA and National Coordinator of the Aarhus Convention, participated in the meeting and presented the work being carried out at the national level on the agenda items.
During the discussion on the amendments to the Aarhus Convention concerning Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), she reaffirmed the importance of the Convention’s effective implementation, emphasizing the role of international cooperation and capacity building. The National Focal Point also presented the outcomes of the study visit organized under the “EU4Green Recovery East” Programme at the Austrian Environment Agency and informed participants that national consultations on the ratification of the GMO amendment to the Aarhus Convention are currently underway.
Under the agenda item “Public Participation in International Forums”, Marie Chakryan presented the preparations for the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), emphasizing the complementary relationship between the Aarhus Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity. She noted that transparency, meaningful public participation, and inclusive decision-making at both the national and international levels are essential prerequisites for effective biodiversity management.
Particular attention was given to the efforts made to ensure the broad involvement of all stakeholders in the preparations for COP17, including civil society, scientific and educational institutions, youth, women, the private sector, and the media. Measures taken to ensure transparency, balanced participation, and the management of potential conflicts of interest, in line with the principles of the Aarhus Convention and the Almaty Guidelines, were also presented.
Armenia reaffirmed its commitment to organizing CBD COP17 as an open, inclusive, and participatory process that will contribute to the implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and strengthen international cooperation in biodiversity conservation.