On April 22–23, the CO-OP4CBD professional training session took place at the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN) in Paris. Sona Kalantaryan, Program Director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), participated in the event.

The session, funded under the European Union's "Horizon Europe" programme, aimed to strengthen the role of civil society in the processes of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It served as an especially important platform for environmental organizations from Armenia, as well as Central and Eastern Europe, to prepare for the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17) to be held in Yerevan this October.

Key Highlights of the Training:

- The intensive two-day working program included both theoretical and practical phases:

- Strategic Knowledge: Participants were introduced to the CBD structure, decision-making mechanisms, and the "whole-of-society" approach to biodiversity governance. Presentations were delivered by representatives from UNESCO, the European Commission, and the CBD Secretariat.

- Practical Skills: During specialized workshops, participants learned the nuances of drafting negotiating statements, organizing side-events, and building effective networks with delegations.

Simulation Exercise: The training concluded with a full simulation of COP procedures, supported by the Youth Negotiators Academy, allowing participants to apply their acquired negotiation skills in practice.

The role of the Armenian delegation was particularly emphasized during the event. Representatives from Armenia's Ministry of Environment delivered welcoming remarks and presented the agenda priorities for COP17. This was a significant signal of the readiness to cooperate with civil society at the state level.

CBD COP17 is a historic event for Armenia. FPWC’s participation in the CO-OP4CBD training is another step toward ensuring that the Armenian environmental community presents a unified, professional, and powerful voice at this crucial global environmental platform.