“Despite geopolitical tensions and the intensifying climate crisis, this conference proves that multilateralism works, and that the commitments undertaken are first and foremost honoured,” Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity Astrid Schomaker said in her opening address at the 17th UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) under way in Yerevan.
On behalf of the Secretariat, Schomaker expressed deep gratitude to RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the RA government and the Armenian people for organizing the UN Biodiversity Conference and the Leaders’ Summit at a high level. She stressed that Armenia’s hospitality and the kindness and warmth of its people have been felt from the very first moment, and that everything has been done so that the delegates feel at home.
According to the Executive Secretary, Yerevan conference inspires hope in the world. She urged that the coming two weeks be used to unite, to turn the commitments undertaken into clear actions, to strengthen partnership ties and to accelerate implementation steps.
Turning to the existing challenges, Schomaker noted that thanks to the global reports it is clear where we stand and where the gaps are. In her conviction, the key goal of the meeting under way in Yerevan is to fill those gaps and to outline more impactful steps.
At the end of her address, Schomaker emphasized that hosting a COP conference is no small task, and that Armenia has successfully and honourably overcome that challenge. She extended special thanks to the RA ministries of foreign affairs and international trade, as well as of environment, to the UN Resident Coordinator and to the entire organizational team for the enormous tireless work done “behind the curtains.”
