As the host country of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), Armenia views the event as an important opportunity to further strengthen the connection between biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and the rule of law. This was stated by Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Paruyr Hovhannisyan, during a high-level discussion at the UN General Assembly.

The discussion focused on the theme “Preventing and Combating Illicit Wildlife Trade and Other Environmental Crimes.”

The Armenian ambassador emphasized that effective environmental protection requires strong criminal justice systems and legislative frameworks, efficient law enforcement mechanisms, deeper international cooperation, and meaningful participation by local communities and other stakeholders.

Hovhannisyan noted that, in pursuit of these goals, Armenia will organize a side event during the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi in September. The event will be titled “Strengthening Criminal Justice Responses to Crimes Against the Environment in Support of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.”

The event will showcase the contribution of criminal justice institutions to biodiversity conservation and highlight the importance of closer cooperation among law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, environmental authorities, international organizations, and civil society.

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