Transformative Change for Nature Recovery

About the Event:

We are pleased to invite you to a panel discussion as part of the talk series “From Montreal to Yerevan: An Armenian-Quebec dialogue on the path to COP17,” organized by the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment and la Société pour la nature et les parcs (SNAP Québec). The event is hosted within the framework of the Road to COP17 Initiative, a year-long series of activities in Armenia to increase national awareness and capacities ahead of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to be held in Yerevan, from October 19 to 30, 2026.

The panel discussion will reflect on how transformative change — system-wide shifts across economic, social, and governance structures — is needed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Bringing together experts from policy, science, and practice, the session will examine pathways to address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss. It will highlight scientific evidence, on-the-ground examples, and the importance of local governments in implementing solutions. Speakers will also discuss how transformative change can be integrated into the agenda and outcomes of COP17.

About the Speakers:

• Ana María Hernández Salgar — Former Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) & Transformative Changes Advisor, SNAP Québec
• Sergio Aranguren — Technical Coordinator of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability Colombia
• Garabet Kazanjian — Freshwater Ecologist, AUA Acopian Center for the Environment

Moderator: Alain Branchaud — Executive Director, SNAP Québec