Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment of the RA, is on a working visit to the United Arab Emirates to participate in the World Conservation Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
During the visit, the Minister met with Her Excellency Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
The parties discussed the ongoing preparations for the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which is scheduled to be held in Armenia in 2026.
The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was also a key focus of the discussion.
Given that the United Arab Emirates successfully hosted the COP28, Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan emphasized the importance of studying and applying that experience in the organizational processes of the upcoming COP17 in Armenia.
He noted that Armenia is determined to organize COP17 at a high level, bringing together international experience, advanced scientific approaches, and innovative solutions to contribute to global biodiversity conservation and sustainable environmental management.
The parties also discussed the memorandum signed between the ministries of the two countries, within the framework of which a number of joint initiatives are already being implemented, aimed at:
•    combating climate change,
•    preserving biodiversity,
•    improving environmental monitoring and impact assessment systems,
•    managing hazardous substances and waste,
•    promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, 
•    developing ecotourism.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their willingness to continue close cooperation, fostering the exchange of experience and the implementation of joint initiatives between the two countries in the field of environmental protection.