From October 19 to 30, 2026, the Republic of Armenia will host the 17th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), bringing together in Yerevan representatives of governments from around the world, international organizations, the scientific community, civil society, Indigenous peoples, youth, and the private sector.

COP17 will be held within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity and will also concurrently host the 12th Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CP-MOP-12) and the 6th Meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing (NP-MOP-6).

The conference will mark an important milestone in the global environmental agenda, as COP17 will include the first global review of collective progress in implementing the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). Discussions will focus on preventing biodiversity loss, restoring ecosystems, ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources, addressing the interlinkages between climate change and nature, and strengthening environmental financing and international cooperation.

COP17 serves as the highest decision-making platform under the Convention on Biological Diversity, where global priorities for biodiversity conservation and directions for joint action by states are established.

For Armenia, hosting COP17 is an event of historic significance and an important opportunity to showcase the country’s rich biodiversity, environmental policy, and active engagement in international environmental processes. Located in a region rich in biological and landscape diversity, Armenia reaffirms its commitment to nature conservation, sustainable development, and ensuring a healthy environment for future generations.

COP17 will also create broad opportunities for raising public awareness, exchanging knowledge, engaging youth, and expanding international cooperation, uniting global efforts for the protection of nature and biodiversity.