Azerbaijani Coalition Calls for Stronger Environmental Safeguards Ahead of COP17 in Armenia

Baku, The Gulf Observer: The Environmental Protection First (EPF) Coalition has issued an appeal to participants of the upcoming Leaders’ Summit under the theme “Leaders for Nature” and the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which is scheduled to be held in Armenia in 2026.

The appeal was read by Amin Mammadov, co-founder of the coalition, on behalf of Azerbaijani civil society activists engaged in monitoring the environmental impact of mining activities in Armenia and their effects on the wider South Caucasus region, including transboundary river systems.

In its statement, the coalition urged the COP17 Presidency and Leaders’ Summit participants to ensure that biodiversity conservation efforts are backed by concrete and measurable actions, stressing the importance of implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The coalition described COP17 as a critical milestone for assessing global progress on biodiversity targets and the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA).

The EPF Coalition expressed concern over mining activities in Armenia allegedly conducted without adherence to international environmental standards, stating that such practices pose serious risks to biodiversity, water resources, ecosystems, and environmental stability across the South Caucasus region.

It further noted that over the past three years, it has repeatedly raised concerns with the Armenian government and expressed solidarity with environmental groups within Armenia seeking solutions to environmental challenges linked to mining operations.

The statement highlighted that several transboundary rivers originate in Armenia and flow into Azerbaijan, adding that downstream monitoring has indicated elevated concentrations of harmful substances allegedly linked to upstream mining activities.

The coalition called for joint monitoring missions within Armenia involving international experts to ensure transparent and comprehensive environmental assessments. It also urged that Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports of mining enterprises in Armenia be made publicly accessible.

Referring to international legal frameworks, the EPF Coalition noted that Azerbaijan is a party to the UNECE Water Convention and emphasized the importance of joint monitoring of transboundary waters, information exchange, early warning systems, and public access to environmental data. It further stated that Armenia is not a party to this convention despite its upstream position on rivers flowing into Azerbaijan and their broader ecological significance for the Kura-Araz basin and the Caspian Sea.

The coalition also cited the Espoo Convention, to which Armenia is a party, stating that it obliges states to notify neighboring countries and the public about environmentally significant activities near shared borders, including mining projects, and to submit transboundary environmental impact assessments.

It recalled commitments made by Armenia in 2014 regarding the provision of transboundary EIA reports in relation to potential restoration works at the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, while raising concerns over environmental transparency and risks of radioactive contamination, which it described as a major threat to biodiversity.

The statement also referenced ongoing regional developments and said that the post–Washington Summit peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia had created opportunities for increased cooperation between civil society organizations. The coalition welcomed these developments and said environmental justice could contribute to long-term peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

Concluding its appeal, the EPF Coalition called on COP17 organizers and Leaders’ Summit participants to encourage Armenia to adopt clear and measurable commitments on transboundary water protection, regulation of mining activities, establishment of transparent monitoring mechanisms, and improved public access to environmental information and data.