Armenia announces bid to host United Nations COP34 climate summit in 2029

YEREVAN — Armenia has formally presented its candidacy to host the United Nations COP34 climate conference in 2029, Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan announced on November 13.

The announcement followed Matevosyan’s meeting with Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, during the COP31 conference in Antalya, Turkey.

The Armenian minister highlighted Yerevan’s recent experience hosting COP17, the United Nations biodiversity conference, emphasizing the organizational and diplomatic expertise gained from that international gathering.

He said Armenia’s bid to host COP34 would provide another opportunity to contribute to international efforts addressing climate change.

The discussions focused on climate change mitigation, adaptation and financing, with particular attention to the vulnerability of mountainous countries and their need for additional resources.

Matevosyan also expressed Armenia’s willingness to cooperate with members of the Eastern European Group and the UN climate convention’s secretariat throughout the selection process.

Armenia has not yet been selected as the host country.

The announcement comes as the Armenian government prepares its 2027 budget, which proposes approximately 13.1 billion drams for the Ministry of Environment, a reduction of around 2.56 billion drams compared with 2026.

Government officials attribute much of the decrease to funding allocated this year for organizing COP17.

Beyond the diplomatic significance of hosting another international conference, the initiative brings renewed attention to Armenia’s domestic environmental priorities, including climate adaptation and the resources available to implement its commitments.