Today, within the framework of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), Minister of Labor and Welfare Arsen Torosyan attended the Women’s Forum held in the Blue Zone.

Also in attendance were Gemma Harper, Executive Director of the United Kingdom’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC); Ruth Spencer, a member of the Council of the Convention on Biological Diversity Women’s Caucus and other officials.

In his remarks, Minister Torosyan emphasized the importance of the link between gender equality and biodiversity conservation, noting that advancing these agendas together plays a significant role in achieving sustainable development and ensuring the well-being of future generations.

The Minister also highlighted the need to ensure women’s full, equal and effective participation in addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and socioeconomic inequalities. In this context, Arsen Torosyan referred to the priorities outlined in Armenia’s 2025–2028 Strategy and Action Plan for the Implementation of Gender Policy, particularly Priority 6, which provides an opportunity to advance the gender equality and biodiversity conservation agendas jointly.

Following the forum, Minister Torosyan also visited COP17’s Green Zone, where the Ministry of Labor and Welfare has its own exhibition pavilion. The Minister spoke with representatives of the “Women for Nature” NGO, as well as staff from the Kh​​arberd Specialized Care Center and the Unified Social Service. He also inquired about visitors’ feedback on the displayed handicrafts and the e-work.am platform.