A high-level panel discussion entitled “Education as a Driver of Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Food Systems” was held today at the Armenia Pavilion in the Blue Zone of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17). The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport (MoESCS), the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), and the Foundation for School Feeding and Child Well-being.
The panel discussion brought together Anna Babajanyan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport; Robert Abisoghomonyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Arman Khojoyan, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia; as well as deputy ministers and senior officials from partner countries.
The first session focused on political leadership for biodiversity, food security and human capital development. Participants exchanged views on how governments can align policies on education, food systems and biodiversity.
ESCS Deputy Minister Anna Babajanyan noted that education is regarded as a “strategy of strategies” in the Government Program for 2026–2031. She emphasized that the success of school feeding programs should be measured not only by the number of children receiving meals each day, but also by the knowledge and habits they develop.
“School greenhouses serve as learning environments: students see what grows in their communities and then find the same product on their plates. Children are more likely to protect what they know and understand. That is why it is important to further develop educational programs in this direction,” Anna Babajanyan said, highlighting the importance of fostering respect and care for nature through education.
Robert Abisoghomonyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, underscored that international partnerships should serve as a bridge between multilateral commitments and national programs. He added that Armenia stands ready to share its experience with its partners.
Representatives from Kyrgyzstan and Indonesia also presented their countries’ approaches, highlighting the links between school feeding, local food production, the sustainable use of land and water, and food waste reduction.
The second session focused on school feeding as a platform for systemic change. Discussions explored how school feeding programs and education systems can deliver measurable results in food security, economic development and biodiversity conservation.
Daniel Balaban, Director of the WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger in Brazil, noted that 40 million students receive school meals in the country every day. He added that Brazilian law requires at least 45% of school feeding program funds to be spent on purchasing food from small-scale family farms.
From 19 to 30 October, the Armenia Pavilion is also hosting the “From Biodiversity to the School Plate” virtual reality experience daily from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00. The experience offers a 360-degree journey from school gardens and farms to bakeries and school cafeterias.