The event gathered academics, policymakers, international organizations, and representatives of rural communities to highlight the indispensable role of peasants in safeguarding biodiversity.

The Mining Legislation Reform Institute (MLRI) participated in the conference, joining the discussion on how biodiversity protection and the rights of rural communities must be advanced together. MLRI’s involvement reflects its broader mission of aligning Armenia’s environmental governance with European and international standards, while ensuring that communities most directly connected to the land are included in decision-making processes.

Peasants and rural communities maintain a unique and intrinsic relationship with the land and ecosystems. Yet, they are often marginalized, excluded from decision-making, and disproportionately affected by biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. Recognizing them as central actors in biodiversity conservation is not only a matter of justice but also of ecological necessity.

The timing of the conference is significant. The upcoming 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will be hosted in Yerevan in October 2026. COP17 presents a historic opportunity to bring forward the rights of peasants and rural workers in global biodiversity policy, aligning with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas.

For MLRI, the event served as an important step in preparing Armenia’s environmental community for this international platform and ensuring that rural voices are heard in global biodiversity negotiations.

For more information about the event, please visit https://www.courrier.am/hy/une-annee-sous-le-signe-de-la-biodiversite