FNI to support Armenia in leading the global biodiversity summit
In October 2026, Armenia will host COP17, the UN’s biodiversity summit. Here, countries from around the world will negotiate how to reduce nature loss, strengthen conservation efforts and implement the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Armenia has set ambitious goals for the meeting, and the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) will support the preparations through a multi-year project funded by Norad and led by Senior Researcher Pål Wilter Skedsmo.
Armenia is a species-rich country located in a regional biodiversity hotspot. At the same time, it faces significant environmental challenges. Hosting COP17 gives Armenia an important opportunity to influence both global biodiversity policy and its own national approach to conservation.
‘Several countries, including Norway, are working to ensure that Armenia’s presidency is as successful as possible. Through this project, FNI will help ensure that Norwegian support strengthens Armenia’s role as COP president and negotiation leader,’ says project leader Pål Wilter Skedsmo.
‘At the same time, the presidency can help bring greater attention to Armenia’s own biodiversity action plan and governance. We aim to support measures that strengthen implementation both before and after COP17.’
The project runs until 2028, when Armenia is expected to hand over the COP presidency at COP18.
Two main objectives
The FNI project follows two main tracks:
- Supporting Armenian authorities in preparations for COP17
Capacity-building, expert support and preparations ahead of the summit, as well as follow-up afterwards
- Strengthening Armenia’s implementation of its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)
Close involvement of Armenian environmental organisations and knowledge institutions to support effective implementation of the national plan
COP17 in Yerevan will follow up the global biodiversity agreement and will mark the first global review of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
‘This is a milestone and a major stocktake, which makes the meeting particularly important,’ says Skedsmo.
Through the project, FNI will draw on expertise built up through many years of research on the CBD, international negotiations and environmental governance in the region.
FNI brings together a multidisciplinary team with experience from Armenia, biodiversity policy, negotiations, civil society engagement and science communication.
The work is carried out in partnership with organisations such as Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center Armenia, EcoLur, the Acopian Center for the Environment at the American University of Armenia, and Armenian Women for Health and a Healthy Environment.
The aim is to bring government institutions, civil society and research communities together around a stronger and more inclusive biodiversity policy. Experience from previous COPs shows that broad involvement early in the process can help create better outcomes.
Norway as partner
Christian Prip, Senior Researcher at FNI and a veteran of international biodiversity negotiations, points to Norway’s role:
‘Norway has long played a larger role in the Convention than its size would suggest. We work closely with other countries and the CBD Secretariat, which puts us in a good position to support host countries like Armenia.’
He describes the project as both demanding and meaningful:
‘This work is closely aligned with what I have been engaged in for more than 35 years. Our aim is to contribute to a successful COP17, while at the same time supporting Armenia in strengthening its own biodiversity governance.’
Experience from previous summits
FNI has extensive experience with capacity-building in host countries for major international environmental meetings. Work related to China’s presidency of COP15 and engagement in negotiations on a global plastics agreement provide valuable experience for the Armenia project.
The project also includes activities such as training for the Armenian delegation, workshops for civil society organisations, support for NBSAP implementation, side events, and policy notes on COP-related, legal and political issues.
One area where there is a particular global need for expert input is the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities under Article 8(j) of the CBD. This is expected to be a key issue at COP17, and one where Norway has relevant expertise to contribute.
A project with lasting value
Armenia’s national biodiversity plan follows the targets set out in the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which runs until 2030. The framework therefore serves as a benchmark for how Armenia will follow up and implement its own biodiversity plan.
The project aims to ensure that Armenia is left with:
- stronger and more coherent biodiversity governance
- broader participation from civil society
- greater openness and improved cross-sector cooperation
‘This is about more than a single summit,’ says Skedsmo.
‘Our goal is to help build capacity and structures that last.’
