No question of playing extras. Recently in Yerevan, the Minister of the Environment and Ecological Transition, Abou Bamba, reminded his troops that Côte d'Ivoire does not come to Armenia to observe, but to weigh in. In front of a delegation of around thirty people, the Minister called for active participation in each working session. His message was contained in three watchwords, namely solidarity, cohesion and patriotism. The call takes on its full meaning in a conference where nearly 200 states are negotiating sensitive texts line by line. On the same day, the Minister took part in the high-level segment. He pleaded for strengthened international commitments, sustainable financing and better involvement of local communities.Abidjan also recalled its ambition to increase forest cover from 9.2% of the territory (2021 data) to at least 20% by 2030. The country is also preparing a National Fund for Biodiversity, as part of the BIOFIN initiative.

The issue goes beyond borders. This mid-term COP takes stock of the Kunming-Montreal Framework, adopted in 2022. This framework sets 23 objectives by 2030, including the protection of 30% of land and oceans. However, progress is considered low to very low for almost three quarters of these targets. Negotiations concluded on October 31 with the adoption of the “Yerevan Way,” a roadmap intended to accelerate action. Several observers, however, believe that its ambition has been weakened by the search for consensus.

By urging his delegation to speak with one voice, Minister Abou Bamba recalls that in environmental diplomacy, unity is an asset.