Statement by Ms. Syuzanna Martirosyan, Third Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Armenia, at the 25th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Mr. Chair,

Armenia attaches great importance to the promotion and protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, in full alignment with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is a crucial platform for advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples across its six mandated areas: economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health, and human rights.

In this regard, the environmental dimension of the Forum's work is of particular relevance. Indigenous Peoples are indispensable stewards of biodiversity, whose knowledge, innovations, and practices constitute an invaluable heritage, reflecting some of the most sustainable and timetested relationships between humanity and nature.

Looking ahead, the 2026 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP17), to be hosted by Armenia this October, represents a pivotal milestone for Indigenous Peoples. As incoming Presidency, Armenia is committed to delivering an inclusive and participatory Conference, ensuring the meaningful engagement of all Parties and stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples, across all processes and outcomes.

Key deliverables of COP17 in Yerevan will include the further institutionalization of the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Other Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Related to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (SB8J), the operationalization of the Cali Fund, which will directly benefit Indigenous Peoples, as well as and the first Global Review of progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The historic decision adopted at COP16 in Cali, Colombia to establish the new Subsidiary Body under Article 8(j), thereby elevating the participation of Indigenous Peoples within the Convention's institutional architecture, marked an important turning point. Armenia stands ready, 2 as incoming Presidency, to facilitate inclusive, constructive, and outcome-oriented deliberations on the modus operandi of this new body, as well as on other mandates related to Article 8(j).

We also attach particular importance to the organization of the Nature-Culture Summit, to be held on 24-25 October 2026 on the margins of COP17. The Summit will serve as a unique platform to advance key messages on the intrinsic linkages between biological and cultural diversity, in the context of the implementation of the new Programme of Work on Article 8(j) and related provisions concerning Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.

Mr. Chair,

To conclude, Armenia will continue to work with all partners to advance our shared objective of halting and reversing biodiversity loss, while recognizing and promoting the knowledge and contributions of Indigenous Peoples as an essential component of sustainable development and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

I thank you.