Behind the scenes at COP17: where thousands of delegates are staying in Armenia
How Armenia housed COP17 delegates
В Ереване начала работу 17-я Конференция сторон Конвенции ООН о биологическом разнообразии (COP17). Делегации со всего мира, в их числе ученые, представители международных организаций, гражданского общества, частного сектора и медиа будут участвовать в мероприятиях в столице Армении до 30 октября.
В рамках конференции с 19 октября проходят комплексные дискуссии и переговоры с участием международных партнеров по вопросам сохранения биоразнообразия.
Из правительства сообщают, что на COP17 в страну прибыли порядка 15 тысяч зарубежных гостей.
Организация столь масштабной международной конференции предполагает не только тщательную подготовку и выполнение намеченной программы, но и координацию вопросов, связанных с безопасностью, транспортом, обслуживанием участников.
И, конечно, особым вызовом для небольшой страны было размещение тысяч гостей в комфортабельных условиях. Из министерства окружающей среды сообщили JAMnews, что предложили прибывающим как гостиничные, так и иные места проживания в Ереване и близлежащих поселениях.
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A guesthouse whose first guests were European experts
This year, Sofia Gabrielyan converted her parents’ house in Nork-Marash, an upscale administrative district of Yerevan, into a five-bedroom guesthouse. Its first guests were two groups of experts from European countries who had come to attend COP17.
“They booked our guesthouse back in August, while renovations were still in full swing. I was confident we would finish everything on time and welcome COP17 guests. First, we registered on the system, and our guesthouse passed the required checks. Soon afterwards, conference participants chose it as their accommodation,” Sofia says.
She considers it symbolic and significant that her guesthouse opened during the conference and welcomed European experts as its first guests. She believes she has done everything possible to convey the spirit of Armenian culture and create the right atmosphere.
“I hope to continue welcoming international visitors in the future. I bought some beautiful carpets with traditional patterns, hand-embroidered curtains and tablecloths. I carefully planned the breakfast menu. I decided to serve linden honey and local fruit, and selected herbs from the mountains for tea.”
In the evenings, she plans to play works by renowned Armenian composers, including Khachaturian, Babajanian, Forsh and Akhverdyan, for guests in a specially equipped small gazebo. She has also prepared a short guide in English suggesting things to do in Yerevan and the surrounding area in the evenings and at weekends.
“We exchanged emails with our guests. On one of their days off, we offered to take them on a tour in a seven-seater car. We thought we could show them the pagan temple at Garni and the medieval Geghard monastery complex. They were delighted. They probably weren’t expecting such an offer. We want to show them not only our country, but also how hospitable Armenia and its people are,” the guesthouse owner says.
As for prices, she offered her first guests a 30% discount.
Yerevan’s major hotels are also hosting conference delegates
Best Western Plus Congress Hotel confirmed that it has been hosting COP17 participants since 14 October, with bookings opening three months earlier. Most guests come from Europe and the Middle East.
“We have welcomed high-ranking guests from participating countries. Some have come for a few days, while others will stay for two weeks. We are delighted to host conference guests, just as we traditionally welcome all our visitors.
“Most of the bookings for this period come from COP17 participants. We are also hosting a group of media representatives. They know the conference venues and entertainment programmes very well. They probably researched the available information thoroughly before their visit.
“We met guests at the airport and prepared Armenian wine and sweets for them in their rooms. However, we serve a classic breakfast menu,” the hotel said.
How COP17 delegates found accommodation
A dedicated team worked to ensure that COP17 participants found suitable accommodation.
The organisers reserved hotel rooms at agreed rates for large delegations. They specifically designed this group booking option for delegations of 25 or more participants. Other delegates chose and booked their own accommodation through online platforms for hotels and guesthouses.
Although Yerevan hosts the main conference events, the organisers also considered hotels and guesthouses in other regions as alternative options.
However, the full picture of how the organisers distributed guests across different accommodation options will only emerge from official figures after the conference ends.
COP17 has undoubtedly marked an important moment for Armenia’s engagement with the international environmental agenda. At the same time, the conference has put the country’s infrastructure, tourism industry and service sector to the test.
Welcoming thousands of international visitors requires coordinated work across multiple organisations. It also gives Armenia an opportunity to strengthen its reputation as a country capable of hosting major international events.
“Based on the first few days of COP17 and our experience hosting the European Political Community summit, which took place in Yerevan this May, we can say that Armenia is positioning itself as a country capable of hosting high-level international events to a high standard,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.
All delegates have found accommodation and are satisfied with it
Ani Hakobyan, spokesperson for the environment minister, told JAMnews:
“All COP17 participants have accommodation. Guests are staying in hotels, guesthouses and flats available for short-term rent. We also offered delegations accommodation options in settlements near Yerevan.”
According to Hakobyan, the ministry has received no statements, letters or complaints from participants who were unable to find accommodation. She noted that such problems sometimes arise at COP conferences, but no incidents of this kind have occurred in this case.
The accommodation team listed available options on official online platforms. Alternatives included hotels, guesthouses and rental properties not only near Yerevan but also in Gyumri, Vanadzor, Dilijan, Tsaghkadzor and Jermuk. There is no precise information yet on whether conference participants took up these offers.
Hakobyan also said that international visitors are covering their own accommodation costs.
How Armenia housed COP17 delegates
