The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity of the UN (COP17), which will take place in Armenia in 2026, will not only become a highly important event for the country’s scientific community but will also open opportunities for outlining new professional horizons for Armenian experts, according to scientist Alla Alexanyan.

Alexanyan is the Head of Department of Plant Diversity and Ecosystem Studies at the International Scientific-Educational Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and a senior researcher at the Takhtajyan Institute of Botany.

“Hosting such a major event is a great honor and responsibility,” Alexanyan told Armenpress. “This is the conference of one of the two biggest UN conventions, whose host is determined as a result of a rather lengthy and difficult process. A country needs to correspond to some rather strict standards in order to get such an honor. Thus, the decision to hold the next conference in Armenia is a serious progress and achievement for our country. Certainly, the Armenian scientific community has some contribution in that too.”

Hosting the event will also be an opportunity for Armenian scientists to present their achievements and work to the world, to establish new contacts with leading experts, exchange experience and outline new professional horizons.

“This is all highly important to us all. It is also a wonderful opportunity for results of scientific studies to reach the right addressees, because this global event is expected to have a participation of around ten thousand delegates, including leading scientists, government officials, representatives of international organizations and NGOs. We must be able to correctly use this exclusive opportunity,” Alexanyan said.

Biological diversity is a priority direction for Armenian scientists. One of the current major programs is the Biodiversity and Sustainable Development in Armenia.

Armenia is currently also developing a biodiversity strategy and national action plan.

On October 31, during the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Armenia was elected as the host country of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17).

This election reaffirms the growing confidence of the international community towards Armenia as an important stakeholder in global environmental processes. Armenia is entrusted the responsible mission of consolidating and promoting the international efforts under the Convention on Biodiversity to contribute to addressing current environmental challenges faced by the humanity.

The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) will be held in Yerevan in 2026.

The UN Convention on Biological Diversity is one of the three global environmental conventions, which regulates the efforts of the international community in the areas of environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, restoration and sustainable use of natural resources. The Conferences of the Parties under the Convention are among the biggest environmental gatherings. During these biennial Conferences the states parties work towards elaboration of mechanisms for implementation of the Convention and assuming new commitments in that regard. The civil society, in particular representatives of non-governmental organizations, indigenous peoples, academic community, women’s organizations, youth and private sector actively participate in the Conferences of the Parties.

Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1204396