President Vahagn Khachaturyan’s working visit to Colombia

As part of his working visit to Colombia, President Vahagn Khachaturyan attended the official opening of the high-level segment at the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali and delivered a speech. During the event, speeches were also given by President of Colombia Gustavo Petro and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The President of the Republic said in his speech:

“It is my great pleasure to participate in the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Colombia for the excellent organization of the COP16 and warm hospitality.

Being the first biodiversity COP since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework it provides an exceptional opportunity to jointly assess the actions taken by the parties within the last two years and devise necessary steps for the effective implementation of the Framework as a new global strategic blueprint for environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation.

In light of the Global Biodiversity Framework, Armenia has been steadfast in the development of its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in an inclusive whole-of-society manner which will significantly contribute to global efforts to realize the vision of "Peace with Nature" by 2050.

We attach importance to inclusivity and multi-stakeholder participation, ensuring meaningful engagement from civil society, private sector, including women, youth, local communities, and academia.

Being a member of the Action Initiative of the Global Biodiversity Framework, Armenia, together with the fellow members of that initiative has been actively promoting efforts to garner positive attention and consensus of the parties and the stakeholders towards the implementation of the GBF.

These undertakings demonstrate Armenia's commitment to achieve transformative changes in national and international policies in line with our global commitments to address the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change in a holistic and comprehensive manner, while making sure that no one is left behind and the countries can achieve sustainable development in harmony with nature.

Madame President,

Armenia’s commitment to global environmental sustainability is also reflected in its steadfast readiness to contribute to international endeavors for addressing the pressing environmental challenges. This commitment has been recently underlined by Armenia’s formal expression of interest to host the next 17th meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The strong environmental stewardship, the focus on green growth and green transition, the continuous strides for preservation of natural habitats and ecosystems, the commitment to international treaties and protocols on environmental protection uniquely position Armenia for hosting the COP17.

Holding the COP17 in Armenia will be an excellent opportunity to further multilateral efforts for global biodiversity protection, ensuring that diverse voices and perspectives are heard with meaningful multi-stakeholder engagement, while showcasing the natural richness of Armenia and the region.

I would like to assure all the distinguished delegations in this room, that, if entrusted with this important responsibility to host the 17th meeting of the parties and lead its crucial undertakings, Armenia will spear no effort to make sure that the CO17 will be another important milestone in our global efforts for biodiversity preservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

Rest assured that our country’s warm hospitality and commitment to multilateralism would foster an exceptional environment for deliberations within the framework of the Convention and its protocols and we would highly appreciate the support of all Parties.”

***

As part of his working visit to Colombia, President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Susana Muhamad, President of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and Colombia’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development.

The President of the Republic highly appreciated the extensive work by the Colombian side and the conference leadership in preparing and organizing this large-scale event within a short time frame. Susana Muhamad expressed her gratitude to the President of the Republic for finding time to attend the conference and for his words of appreciation.

Over the course of the meeting, they exchanged views on necessary measures and efforts to address the interconnected crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Both sides emphasized the importance of holding high-level international conferences like COP16 and implementing the decisions made in these forums.

In this context, the President underscored Armenia’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under international conventions to combat climate change and biodiversity loss and highlighted the country’s active efforts in meeting these commitments.

***

As part of his working visit to Colombia, President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Colombia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luis Gilberto Murillo.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized the need to strengthen relations between the two countries and take steps in this direction. They also exchanged views on exploring and realizing the potential for cooperation between Armenia and Colombia.

Both sides noted that geographical distance should not be an obstacle to initiating cooperation in various fields, especially when Armenia maintains friendly relations and resident embassies in several Latin American countries.

Over the course of the discussion, the President of the Republic highly appreciated Colombia’s efforts in hosting and organizing the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity within a short time frame.

***

Within the framework of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Cali, Colombia, President Vahagn Khachaturyan had a meeting over a working dinner with Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro.

President Khachaturyan highly valued the extensive work by the Colombian side in organizing such a large-scale event within a short time frame.

During the meeting, the presidents discussed opportunities and prospects for enhancing the current level of relations and cooperation between Armenia and Colombia, underscoring the importance of initiating and promoting steps in this direction.

President Khachaturyan noted that Armenia has warm relations and cooperation with several Latin American countries and values further expanding its cooperation framework with the region’s countries.

The sides also exchanged views on regional and global realities, emphasizing the importance of addressing modern global challenges through a united agenda and combined efforts.

***

At the final plenary session of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Cali, Colombia, a majority of votes from participating countries decided that the next annual conference, COP17 in 2026, would be hosted by the Republic of Armenia.

In this regard, President Vahagn Khachaturyan, while on a working visit to Colombia, had phone conversations with Armenia’s Minister of Environment Hakob Simidyan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan.

The President congratulated and thanked the ministers for the joint and effective work of their teams in securing the decision to hold this high-level international conference in Armenia.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan also wished success to the responsible agencies in organizing and hosting the 17th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity at a high level in 2026.