On the sidelines of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomonyan met with Rafael Benitez, a representative of the Council of Europe’s Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, to discuss the process of agreeing on the 2027–2030 Armenia–Council of Europe Joint Action Plan.
The deputy foreign minister welcomed the Council of Europe’s participation in COP17, emphasizing the importance of the organization’s expertise and contribution to biodiversity conservation.
The two officials praised cooperation between Armenia and the Council of Europe, which is founded on shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
They emphasized the importance of cooperation in advancing Armenia’s democratic reform agenda. The meeting also addressed prospects for further developing relations between Armenia and the Council of Europe. Particular importance was attached to strengthening cooperation in biomedicine, healthcare, environmental protection and social rights.
The official opening ceremony of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) took place on the evening of October 18 at the Meridian Center in Yerevan. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the ceremony and delivered remarks. In his speech, he stated that Armenia views its COP17 presidency as an opportunity to unite the international community’s efforts and direct them toward practical and tangible results.
