Hambardzum Matevosyan

Around 50 decisions were adopted at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Yerevan, with the outcomes exceeding initial expectations both in the range of agenda items addressed and their importance to numerous countries. Armenian Environment Minister and COP17 President Hambardzum Matevosyan said this at a press conference in Yerevan reviewing the conference’s outcomes.

Ecuador has been selected to host the 18th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP18) following a secret ballot at the closing plenary session of COP17 in Armenia. Armenian Environment Minister and President of COP17 in Yerevan Hambardzum Matevosyan announced the decision. “I congratulate our Ecuadorian counterparts and wish them success in preparing for and hosting the conference,” Matevosyan said. COP18 will take place in Ecuador in 2028.

Armenia21:16, 30 October 2026 Armenian Environment Minister and COP17 President Hambardzum Matevosyan met volunteers at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Yerevan and thanked them for their dedication, sense of responsibility and tireless work. In a Facebook post, the minister said he had previously been a volunteer himself and understood how much effort, time and care the work required.