COP17 is a global event. For the first time in its history, Armenia is leading a global event and a global initiative. Expectations are high, and Armenia has put forward a number of initiatives addressing both the challenges facing the country and global issues. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Armenia Robert Abisoghomonyan stated this during a briefing with journalists in parliament.
“At this point, Armenia is not only raising its visibility but also making its voice heard on the global environmental agenda. This contributes not only to cooperation within the framework of that agenda but also provides Armenia with a great opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties.
Armenia has an opportunity to establish contacts with 196 Parties on environmental and other issues. There are countries with which we have not previously had an opportunity to establish contacts, and COP17 provides that opportunity,” he said.
Robert Abisoghomonyan also said that he had spoken with representatives of countries that had hosted COPs and learned that the number of tourists visiting those countries had increased severalfold following the events.
Addressing the question of how hosting COP17 would affect efforts to address Armenia’s environmental challenges, such as air pollution, the Deputy Minister clarified that hosting COP17 does not in itself mean that the host country has no environmental problems or challenges.
“Many countries that are Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity face similar environmental challenges. COP17 will also contribute to addressing the challenges facing Armenia,” he said.
Asked whether representatives from Turkey and Azerbaijan would arrive to participate in COP17, Robert Abisoghomonyan said that Turkey and Azerbaijan are Parties to the Convention and are free to register.
“At this point, I have no information on whether they have registered or not. We know that slightly more than 13,000 registrations have been made so far. They may or may not have registered,” he said.
