PRE-COP17 Panel Discussion: Nature Finance and the Cali Fund

On 7 October, the University of York Europe Campus, the Sheffield–York–Strasbourg Armenian Alumni Association (SYSAAA), and the British Embassy Yerevan brought together representatives of government, international organizations, business, finance, academia, and the sustainability sector for a PRE-COP17 Panel Discussion entitled “Nature Finance and the Cali Fund: Turning Global Commitments into Action” at the Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan.

The discussion focused on approaches to mobilizing finance for biodiversity conservation and nature-positive development, with particular attention to the Cali Fund, the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), and opportunities to mobilize private capital in support of Armenia’s environmental priorities.

The event brought together key stakeholders to examine the policy and practical dimensions of nature finance, including the role of public and private investment, innovative financing mechanisms, education, and international cooperation in advancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. The discussion also highlighted the importance of translating global commitments into practical action as Armenia prepares to host COP17.

The session featured contributions from Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Armenia, and Aram Meymaryan, Deputy Minister of Environment, alongside Françoise Jacob, UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia, and H.E. Alexandra Cole, British Ambassador to Armenia. The discussion was moderated by Professor Leslie Szamosi, Dean of the School of Business at the University of York Europe Campus and Director of the Pan-European Executive MBA.

The PRE-COP17 Panel Discussion provided a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange among national and international stakeholders, highlighting opportunities to strengthen partnerships, build capacity, and mobilize resources for biodiversity conservation and nature-positive development in Armenia and the wider region.

The initiative reflects the participating institutions’ commitment to fostering international cooperation and cross-sector engagement in support of sustainable development and the implementation of global biodiversity commitments.