Honorable Prime Minister,
Honorable President of the National Assembly,
Dear Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity,
Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Armenia for the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

We meet against the background of profound changes in international relations. Geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and competing national priorities are placing increasing pressure on international institutions and established mechanisms of cooperation.

In these circumstances, the relevance of the United Nations, other respective international institutions and the principles of multilateralism provide a framework within which States, regardless of their resources, capabilities or political differences, can engage on an equal footing, reconcile divergent interests and pursue common objectives.

For Armenia, effective multilateralism is an important element of our foreign policy. We attach particular importance to sovereign equality, inclusive dialogue and the ability of international institutions to respond to the needs and priorities of their members.

The Convention on Biological Diversity represents an important example of such cooperation. Its achievements over more than three decades demonstrate the capacity of States to establish common objectives while accommodating diverse national circumstances.

The adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022 was a significant collective achievement. The task now is to ensure that the undertaken commitments are matched by sustained engagement and practical implementation. COP17, particularly through the first Global Review of collective progress, offers an opportunity to consider how the international community is meeting this responsibility. Armenia's decision to host COP17 and moreover to hold the Leaders’ Summit on Biodiversity reflects our commitment to contributing actively to these international processes and assuming the responsibilities that accompany them.

For Armenia, the protection of biodiversity is also a matter of direct national relevance. Our country's varied landscapes and ecosystems are an important part of our natural heritage and require responsible protection and preservation. Hosting COP17 provides an opportunity to connect this national responsibility with our contribution to the global effort to protect and restore nature.

Excellencies,

We have approached the preparations for this Conference with the understanding that the Presidency carries both institutional and diplomatic responsibilities. We see the Presidency not as an end in itself, but as an opportunity to help Parties build trust, bridge differences and advance a common agenda.

We hope that the dialogue we will continue to facilitate throughout the Conference and the upcoming two-years presidency will contribute to adopting decisions that take into account the interests of all Parties and advance our shared objectives. We will be guided by impartiality, inclusiveness and respect for the intergovernmental character of the Convention. We recognize that the Presidency's role is to facilitate negotiations and help identify areas of convergence, while decisions and respective actions on substantive matters remain the collective responsibility of the Parties.

Excellencies,

The importance of biodiversity on the international agenda extends well beyond environmental protection. Biodiversity, climate change, food security and sustainable development are closely interconnected. Decisions taken in one area increasingly have implications for others, creating both opportunities and challenges for national policies and international cooperation.

This calls for closer coordination across these areas and greater attention to their interconnections in implementing our commitments.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We look forward to working with you in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation, with the shared objective of achieving meaningful outcomes at the Conference.

Concluding, I thank all delegations and participants for joining us in Yerevan, wishing you successful deliberations and a pleasant stay in Armenia.

Thank you.