Yerevan, October 20 (QNA) - Qatar is participating in the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), being held in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, from October 19 to 30.

The Qatari delegation, represented by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, is joining representatives of countries, international organizations and environmental experts to discuss key challenges and priorities in biodiversity conservation.

The conference coincides with the 12th meeting of the parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the sixth meeting of the parties to the Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use.

Discussions at COP17 cover the protection of endangered wildlife, the restoration of degraded ecosystems, improved management of protected areas and the development of monitoring mechanisms. Participants are also examining ways to mobilize financial resources and strengthen international cooperation to support biodiversity conservation.

Qatar's environment ministry said the country's participation reflected its continued commitment to protecting biodiversity and preserving natural resources through national programs and projects.

These initiatives include protecting and breeding native wildlife, rehabilitating rawdas — natural depressions that support vegetation in Qatar's arid landscape — expanding plant cover, conserving endangered species and safeguarding mangrove forests and coral reefs. The country is also working to strengthen the sustainable management of its nature reserves.

The ministry said the conference provided an opportunity to learn from international initiatives, exchange scientific and technical expertise and explore partnerships with relevant international organizations to improve national conservation programs.

Qatar's participation forms part of its commitment to international and regional efforts to achieve the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The ministry said these efforts were also aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, which seeks to balance environmental protection with sustainable development and preserve natural resources for future generations. (QNA)