The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity has started in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Before the event, which will last from October 19 to 30, a “Leaders for Nature” summit was held on October 16 with the participation of heads of state and government.
Modern.az reports that the summit was attended by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Turkey was represented by a delegation led by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı. Azerbaijan did not send a delegation to the event.
The summit discussed the protection of biodiversity, the conservation of water resources, and the expansion of ecological cooperation. The leaders of the Turkic states put forward various initiatives, from financing mechanisms to regional cooperation.
Japarov's first official visit and agreement on lakes
On the eve of the summit, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov paid an official visit to Armenia. During the meeting with Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, bilateral relations, trade and economic ties, and cooperation on international platforms were discussed.
According to the Armenian side, Japarov emphasized that this was the first official visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan to Armenia.
Among the documents signed during the visit was a memorandum of understanding on the protection of Lake Sevan and Lake Issyk-Kul. The document provides for the exchange of experience in studying and monitoring lake ecosystems, protecting fish species, preventing water pollution, and assessing the impacts of climate change.
It is also planned to develop cooperation between Sevan National Park and protected areas around Issyk-Kul.
Japarov stated that they support Armenia's Yerevan Platform initiative aimed at protecting mountain and freshwater ecosystems, and that Kyrgyzstan is ready for active participation in its activities.
Tokayev proposed creating an international fund
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed at the summit the creation of an international fund for the protection of rare species and biodiversity.
He also initiated the opening of a regional office of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Almaty. The President of Kazakhstan also emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in the field of water resources conservation.
Berdimuhamedov drew attention to the interests of developing countries
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov stated that in order to achieve international environmental goals, the interests of developing countries, especially landlocked states, should be taken into account.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, he noted that multilateral mechanisms, including
