At the invitation of the Minister of Environment Hakob Simidyan, the President of the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Alain Richard Donwahi arrived in Armenia.
Mr. Donwahi is in Armenia for the second time.
Let us recall that in 2023, the second session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought (IWG on Drought) and the regional capacity development workshop took place in Yerevan.
Minister Hakob Simidyan and Alain Richard Donwahi also had a bilateral meeting in the UAE within the framework of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 
Welcoming the partners, the minister stated that there are effective and strong partnership relations between the parties.
The agreement to create a joint working group was discussed and a decision was made to take more active steps in that direction.
An agreement was reached to cooperate more closely within the framework of the UN Conventions on "Biological Diversity" and to "Combat Desertification".
The minister presented to his partners the steps taken by the Republic of Armenia aimed at preventing desertification and drought in the climate agenda, addressing the issues of afforestation and increasing forest areas, effective management of water resources and wise use of natural resources.
The digitization of the afforestation sector and the exchange of experience in this field were referenced.
The parties agreed to continue cooperation, mutual visits within the framework of the convention and consider the possibilities of implementing new programs and events.