Armenia’s Environment Ministry says the countries have succeeded Colombia and Germany in leading a partnership that helps countries put national biodiversity plans into practice.
Armenia and Norway have taken over the co-chairmanship of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership from Colombia and Germany, Armenia’s Environment Ministry said in an account published by Civic.am on 28 October 2026. The partnership helps countries carry out national plans to protect biodiversity—the variety of living things.
Developed under Colombia and Germany’s leadership, the partnership was first announced at the COP15 biodiversity conference in December 2022. It announced its operational launch in September 2023.
NBSAP stands for National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans. These plans set out countries’ action towards the goals and 23 targets of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the global framework the partnership supports.
The partnership’s governance rules give its two co-chairs leadership of the Steering Committee. That committee sets strategic direction, provides political leadership and oversees implementation. It also mobilises political and financial support and works to expand the partnership’s reach.
Operational coordination belongs to the Global Coordination Unit, the partnership’s secretariat. Its tasks include developing the partnership, coordinating activities, measuring and communicating progress, and supporting the Steering Committee.
Hambardzum Matevosyan, Armenia’s environment minister and president of COP17—the 17th conference of parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity—delivered opening remarks at a ministerial dialogue on accelerating national biodiversity plans, the ministry said.
Matevosyan said countries need adequate resources, technical support and institutions capable of carrying out their national targets. International cooperation should match countries’ priorities, and joint efforts should turn commitments into tangible biodiversity-conservation results.
The ministry has not specified a funding commitment, the length of the co-chairmanship, an operational timetable or a date for the next decision.
Countries seeking assistance can use the partnership’s existing MatchMaking Mechanism and Facilitator Programme. The partnership says these routes provide access to financial resources, technical assistance and shared knowledge to help countries develop and implement biodiversity plans across sectors.
Environment official Voskehat Grigoryan says the Global OECM Action Hub will pool expertise to help countries apply existing conservation criteria outside protected areas.
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Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan says the Yerevan initiative aims to bring mountain countries together to put conservation into national plans and budgets.
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At Armenia’s UN biodiversity conference, officials and educators are discussing a draft plan intended to connect learning with practical nature conservation.
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