Yerevan unveils preliminary COP17 agenda

PanARMENIAN.Net - In October 2026, Yerevan will host the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, COP17, becoming one of the world’s key international environmental platforms. The official website of the Convention on Biological Diversity has already published the preliminary agenda for COP17, covering a range of major political and practical issues.

From October 19 to 30, delegates from countries around the world, representatives of international organizations, experts and members of civil society will gather in the Armenian capital to discuss global progress in biodiversity conservation and priority actions planned through 2030.

The central topic of the conference will be the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Participants will assess global progress in implementing the framework and discuss mechanisms for monitoring, accountability and implementation support.

The agenda also gives significant attention to capacity-building, scientific and technical cooperation, knowledge management, as well as communication, education and public awareness.

Discussions will additionally focus on mobilizing financial resources and expanding international cooperation to align policies with other conventions and organizations.

Special attention will be devoted to implementing Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity and related provisions concerning the rights and participation of indigenous peoples and local communities.

The Yerevan meeting agenda also includes the use of digital data on genetic resources, synthetic biology, gender equality, and the interconnection between biodiversity and climate change, agriculture, healthcare and marine ecosystems.

Participants will also discuss future steps regarding forest biodiversity, protected areas and the integration of biodiversity issues into policymaking and sectoral governance systems.

The 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) will be held at Yerevan’s Meridian Expo Center from October 18 to 30, 2026.