Armenia, which holds the presidency of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), presented its priorities for the presidency and preparations for the conference at a high-level briefing in Addis Ababa on September 10, Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said.
The briefing, organized by the Armenian Embassy in Ethiopia in cooperation with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), brought together representatives of African countries, the United Nations system and other stakeholders. UNECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete delivered opening remarks.
Ambassador Mher Margaryan, Special Envoy of the Armenian COP17 Presidency, presented the presidency’s vision and priorities. He emphasized the importance of developing relations with African countries, noting that the approaches and experience of African partners are important for the effective implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Margaryan emphasized the Armenian presidency’s commitment to ensuring an inclusive, transparent and action-oriented process, as well as substantive and effective engagement by parties and other stakeholders throughout all stages of COP17 preparations and the conference itself.
The substantive and organizational preparations for COP17 were also presented, along with ongoing engagement with stakeholders.
Representatives of UNECA and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) also addressed the briefing. Participants exchanged views, including on African partners’ expectations ahead of COP17.
