COP17: “We will do our best to end negotiations and plenaries in due time” (H. Matevosyan, president)

“The possibility that the COPs will not manage to end the discussions of the full items during one COP is getting narrower and narrower as we move. Some items need detailed discussions to make sure that we have a consensus, but we will do our best to end negotiations and plenaries in due time,” said Hambardzum Matevosyan, Armenia's Minister for Environment, and newly elected COP17 President on 19 October 2026, following the opening of the Yerevan biodiversity summit.

He said he was very positive regarding the future outcome of COP 17, unlike COP16 in Cali, Colombia, which failed to finish on schedule and was suspended because the meeting lost its quorum.

“The discussions had already begun before the official start of negotiations. The Leaders for Nature Summit Declaration has circulated…