Keynote speech on Freshwater Challenge by Armenian Deputy Minister at COP17
H.E. Ara Mkrtchyan, Armenia’s Deputy Minister of the Environment, officially announced that Armenia had joined the Freshwater Challenge at CBD COP17 – becoming the 55th Country Member along with the European Union.
Opening an official, high-level side event on Mobilizing Resources for freshwater biodiversity from Water Towers to Wetlands: scaling up the Freshwater Challenge, Deputy Minister Mkrtchyan said:
“It is a great pleasure for me to open this important event on behalf of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia. I am pleased to see so many of you here today and to have this opportunity to discuss our shared goals for protecting nature and freshwater ecosystems.
The Government of the Republic of Armenia is committed to protecting nature, biodiversity, and natural resources. We aim to use our natural resources wisely, reduce harm to the environment, and ensure a healthy and safe environment for present and future generations.
Improving water management is one of the Government’s main priorities. Our work focuses on protecting water resources, using modern technologies to save water, improving water systems, and making sure that water is used responsibly. Restoring forests, freshwater ecosystems, especially Lake Sevan, as well as natural landscapes and degraded lands, is also a key priority for the Ministry of Environment. We are taking practical steps to achieve these goals, including cleaning and restoring rivers and protecting the ecosystem of Lake Sevan.
We welcome and support initiatives that help Armenia carry out its national plans and strategies to restore and protect freshwater ecosystems. This includes increasing investments, supporting nature conservation, and giving more attention to freshwater protection in international discussions on climate change.
Armenia has many important freshwater ecosystems, with Lake Sevan at their heart. These waters are essential for our economy, our communities and cities, and our rich biodiversity. We understand that we must act now and invest more in protecting and restoring our rivers, lakes, other water resources, and wetlands. These ecosystems play an important role in stopping nature loss, ensuring water security, and fighting climate change.
We believe that the Freshwater Challenge will help us protect our valuable freshwater resources for people, nature, and the climate.”
