YEREVAN — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the Government headquarters in Yerevan. Guterres arrived in Armenia to participate in the Leaders’ Summit held as part of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17).
Welcoming the delegation led by Guterres, Pashinyan noted that he was the second UN Secretary-General to visit Armenia. The Prime Minister highlighted their cooperation over the past eight years, a period marked by significant developments both in the region and internationally.
Pashinyan emphasized the importance of multilateralism and the role of the United Nations in addressing global challenges. He observed that although many international actors advocate multilateral cooperation, unilateral approaches continue to prevail in various parts of the world, contributing to growing international instability.
Turning to regional developments, the Prime Minister expressed optimism about progress toward lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“Fortunately, after going through very difficult events in our region, we have been able to change the situation. Our main objective now is to reach the final stage—the signing and ratification of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Pashinyan said.
He stressed that achieving this goal remains a priority despite the challenges involved.
Referring to COP17, Pashinyan described the conference as the largest international event ever organized in Armenia and expressed confidence in its successful implementation.
For his part, Guterres thanked the Armenian government for its warm hospitality and praised the organization of the conference.
“I would like to congratulate Armenia because this conference has been exceptionally well organized,” Guterres said. He noted that reaching consensus during international negotiations is often difficult, particularly when participants hold differing positions.
“Armenia has demonstrated exceptional diplomatic skills, working wonders in bringing together different opinions and perspectives,” the UN Secretary-General stated.
He added that Armenia’s leadership and diplomatic capabilities were particularly evident in discussions concerning biodiversity and climate-related issues.
Guterres also emphasized the importance of establishing lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and acknowledged Prime Minister Pashinyan’s personal contribution to advancing the peace process.
During the meeting, the two officials exchanged views on COP17, its agenda, and the discussions taking place within the conference framework.
They also addressed regional developments, including progress on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project. Both sides highlighted the project’s potential contribution to reopening regional transportation links, improving connectivity, and promoting economic cooperation.
