Accra:The 'Environmental Protection First' Coalition has issued a statement to civil society representatives, states, and international environmental organizations regarding the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) being hosted in Armenia.

According to Azeri-Press news agency, the coalition has expressed concerns over what it views as double standards in hosting a global biodiversity summit in a country with a questionable environmental record. They argue that Armenia's history of ecological degradation, transboundary pollution, and systemic ecocide contradicts the event's theme of acting for nature and halting biodiversity loss.

The coalition highlights several specific issues, including the pollution of the Okhchuchay River by toxic waste from mining operations, ecological devastation in Azerbaijani territories during Armenia's past occupation, and hazardous industrial projects near the Azerbaijan border. They also criticize Armenia's refusal to join the UN Water Convention, emphasizing the need for genuine environmental stewardship and cooperation.