President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan delivered a speech at the UN Regional Environmental Summit in Astana.
“I express my sincere gratitude to the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, as well as to the Government and people of Kazakhstan, for the traditionally warm hospitality and excellent organization of this important event.
Armenia highly appreciates Kazakhstan’s efforts to promote international cooperation in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation in the region and beyond. This conference plays an important role as a platform for dialogue, bringing together governments, the scientific community, and civil society to confront the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation.
Being a landlocked, developing, and mountainous country, Armenia is already facing the serious consequences of climate change, while our contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is only about 0.02%. The average temperature in the country has increased by more than 1 degree Celsius over the past few decades and is projected to continue rising until mid-century. Climate change has led to more extreme weather events, such as floods and heat waves, resulting in significant economic losses and threatening livelihoods.
Decreased precipitation and retreating glaciers contribute to the scarcity of water resources. Access to fresh water is increasingly under pressure, especially in rural communities. Water scarcity threatens vulnerable mountain ecosystems, affects agriculture, and the overall well-being of our population.
In this context, we welcome Kazakhstan’s initiative to hold consultations with international partners to strengthen cooperation for effective water resource management. Armenia will actively participate in these consultations.
Armenia demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and a commitment to global climate action. We have set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44% below 1990 levels by 2035, through domestic efforts, and by 52% with international support.
Armenia undertakes these commitments in full recognition of its national capabilities and the importance of international cooperation in mitigating climate change and advancing adaptation, guided by the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.
Rising temperatures are a major driver of biodiversity loss, affecting the world’s unique ecosystems and endemic species, with profound implications for human health, food security, and the economy. It is therefore crucial to scale up global efforts to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity. This year, Armenia will host the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
This reflects the strong commitment of our small country to contribute to global efforts to conserve nature. Armenia looks forward to welcoming you all to Yerevan this October for the COP17 Conference on Biodiversity to assess our progress and identify ways to accelerate efforts to restore and protect the environment for present and future generations.
International cooperation, mobilization of financial resources, and exchange of experiences and technologies remain key to addressing interconnected environmental challenges, strengthening climate resilience, supporting sustainable agriculture and food security, and promoting effective water resource management.
Armenia stands ready to engage with its regional and international partners, share our experiences, and learn from others. Together, we can protect our planet and ensure the long-term stability and well-being of our societies.”
