On April 8, Hakob Simidyan, Minister of Environment of the RA met with Arnold Kreilhuber, Regional Director for Europe of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Europe Office in Geneva. The meeting marks an important milestone in strengthening Armenia's cooperation with UNEP and in developing new initiatives.
During the meeting, the parties discussed key areas of cooperation between Armenia and UNEP, highlighting the importance of continuously improving environmental policy, conserving nature, preserving biodiversity, and taking joint actions to combat climate change.
In particular, the discussion focused on the environmental programs that have already been implemented and those planned in Armenia with the support of UNEP. These programs aim to enhance ecosystem management efficiency, strengthen institutional capacities for environmental management, and achieve sustainable development goals.
Minister Hakob Simidyan presented to Arnold Kreilhuber the ongoing work aimed at the proper organization of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which will be held in Armenia in 2026. He emphasized that Armenia is taking a highly responsible approach to organizing this significant conference, viewing it as an opportunity to showcase the country's commitment to conserving biodiversity and protecting the environment.
During the meeting, discussions also covered the infrastructure, content, and organizational aspects of hosting the conference, emphasizing the need for ongoing support from international partners to address these challenges. Minister Simidyan highlighted that UNEP's support can be crucial not only for the successful organization of COP17 but also for the implementation of long-term environmental programs.
Individual programs were also discussed, and the Minister presented the progress and outlined the challenges for each one. UNEP's support for these programs is considered a key contribution to enhancing Armenia's environmental management system.
At the end of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to addressing global and regional environmental challenges effectively through joint efforts, based on the principles of international partnership, collaborative initiatives, and sustainable development.