Within the framework of UNEA-7, Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment of the RA, met with Brian O’Donnell, Director of the Campaign for Nature. 
During the meeting, the parties discussed the organization’s work on the implementation and financing of the 30x30 target under the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). They also touched upon the analytical report to be presented at UNEA, which assesses the current level of international financing for achieving the 30x30 target, as well as the SPACES initiative, which supports low- and middle-income countries in developing nationally budgeted biodiversity programmes.
Minister Matevosyan noted that Armenia continues to expand its network of protected areas. “Through our national strategy, we aim to increase protected area coverage to 20% by 2030, compared to the current level of approximately 13%. At the same time, we emphasize the importance of improving management effectiveness and the early adoption of a new law that also covers Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)—areas that are not formally designated as protected areas but, when managed appropriately and equitably, ensure the long-term conservation of biodiversity,” the Minister stated.
Referring to the upcoming COP17, Minister Matevosyan stressed that the 30x30 target should be at the center of the conference agenda and reaffirmed Armenia’s readiness to contribute actively to advancing this global goal.