Within the framework of the 27th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-27) under the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Panama, an event entitled “From Strategy to Implementation: Cultivating Soil Biodiversity by Integrating Agroecology in NBSAPs and National Food System Policies” was organized, in which Aram Meymaryan, Deputy Minister of Environment of the RA, participated and delivered a speech.
The meeting aimed to support the integration of agri-food systems and agroecological approaches into National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), thereby advancing both biodiversity conservation and food security goals.
In his speech, Aram Meymaryan emphasized that the integration of agri-food systems within the scope of biodiversity is no longer an option but a necessary prerequisite. He noted that Armenia’s mountainous landscape and diverse microclimates have fostered centuries-old agricultural traditions rooted in biodiversity, which continue to contribute to the preservation of local crop varieties and livestock breeds, while maintaining soil fertility and ecosystem balance.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that Armenia is combining traditional knowledge with innovative approaches to advance the digital transformation of agriculture.
Meymaryan also highlighted a new joint initiative by FAO, UNDP, UNEP, and the Government of Armenia aimed at jointly promoting food security, climate resilience, and environmental protection through food systems financing.
He noted that in the revised NBSAPs, Armenia places particular emphasis on expanding agri-food systems and related actions, ensuring simultaneous progress in food security, ecosystem health, and sustainable livelihoods.