Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has highlighted environmental protection and stronger regional ties as key outcomes of his visit to Armenia, where he attended the leaders’ summit of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Yerevan on Friday.
Speaking after returning to Tehran, President Pezeshkian said discussions during recent international meetings in Armenia and Turkmenistan addressed major environmental challenges, including declining water levels in the Caspian Sea, pollution and threats to biodiversity.
He stressed that protecting the environment was a shared global responsibility, warning that damage to ecosystems could have serious consequences for human life and future generations.
He also criticized the environmental destruction caused by wars, saying their effects on forests, air, soil and other natural resources often extend beyond national borders.
President Pezeshkian said international gatherings provided opportunities for officials and experts to discuss common challenges and develop a shared understanding of how to prevent further environmental degradation.
On bilateral relations, the Iranian president said he and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had discussed existing ties, future cooperation and the preparation of a joint strategic document. Experts from both countries are expected to hold further consultations to examine relevant issues and identify ways to advance cooperation, he added.
President Pezeshkian also referred to his talks with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, highlighting longstanding historical and cultural links between Iran and Georgia. He cited the presence of Georgian-Iranian communities in parts of Iran, including Fereydunshahr, as evidence of the countries’ enduring cultural connections.
According to President Pezeshkian, the discussions also addressed opportunities to expand transport and transit routes, linking regional capacities with destinations in Europe, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, India and other markets. He also said stronger connectivity could create new opportunities for economic, cultural, social and political cooperation.
The president also said he had held talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on the sidelines of the international meetings, describing regional consultations as an opportunity to strengthen ties and pursue shared interests.
Summing up the visit, President Pezeshkian said the talks could help advance international cooperation on biodiversity and environmental protection while supporting more sustainable relations between Iran and neighboring countries.