The Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia participated in the side event on advancing gender equality and biodiversity action

On March 13, in New York, on the margins of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), a side event entitled "From CSW Commitments to CBD COP17: Advancing Gender Equality for Biodiversity Action" was convened at the initiative of Armenia.

During the event, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Robert Abisoghomonyan delivered opening remarks. In his remarks, the Deputy Minister emphasised the importance of the event, as the international community prepares for the first global review of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. He noted that the work carried out within the CSW further reaffirms the commitments to gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

Participants were briefed on the vision of Armenia for hosting COP17, which is predicated on ensuring inclusivity and engaging all stakeholders. The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that biodiversity governance must fully reflect the perspectives, knowledge and leadership of women, youth, indigenous peoples and local communities.

The objective of the Presidency of Armenia was highlighted, aimed at shaping the Conference as a platform for translating global commitments into tangible and measurable actions.

In his remarks, the Deputy Minister highlighted the pivotal role of women in the stewardship of ecosystems, the sustainable management of natural resources and the transmission of ecological knowledge. Robert Abisoghomonyan stressed that women are often at the forefront of efforts to safeguard biodiversity, implement sustainable agricultural practices, protect forests and water resources and strengthen community resilience.

In this vein, the importance of crafting and implementing more coherent policy across environmental, development and gender equality agendas was underscored as a means to address current challenges.

The event was organized by the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN, in co-sponsorship with the Permanent Missions of the United Kingdom and the Philippines, alongside the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Note: The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal intergovernmental policy-making body dedicated to the promotion of women's rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women.