Within the framework of the third UN Ocean Conference, a side event titled ‘From Mountains to Oceans: Preserving Biodiversity Beyond Environmental Boundaries for a Sustainable Future’ took place, co-organized by Armenia and France as the host countries of COP17 and the UN Ocean Conference, respectively.

The event was attended by the head of the Armenian delegation to the third UN Ocean Conference, President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan. The opening remarks were delivered by Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan.

A high-level panel discussion followed, with participation from Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity; Rabab Fatima, UN Deputy Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States; Edil Baisalov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Special Envoy of the President; Barbara Pompili, French Ambassador for the Environment and former Minister for Ecological Transition; Gaute Hansen, Chief Negotiator of the Ministry of Climate and Environment of Norway; and Hambardzum Matevosyan, Chief Adviser to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Chairman of the COP17 Organizing Committee.

The closing remarks were delivered by Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Robert Abiosoghomonyan, who summarized the event’s outcomes and expressed gratitude to the participants for their active engagement. In his speech, the Deputy Minister highlighted the importance of the interconnectedness of different ecosystems, the integration of biodiversity conservation efforts into a broader picture, and the need for a more comprehensive concept in implementing those actions.