From May 19 to 21, the BESPIN Regional Trialogue for Europe and Central Asia was held in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, under the theme: "Coordinated Uptake of Biodiversity and Climate Knowledge for Transformative Action."

The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) was represented at this crucial international platform by the Foundation's Project Director, Sona Kalantaryan.

The goal of the Trialogue was to bring together policymakers, scientists, practitioners, and holders of traditional and local knowledge to develop joint strategies that allow scientific evidence on biodiversity and climate to be better connected and applied to national and regional policies.

The ecosystems of Europe and Central Asia—from mountain ranges and forests to wetlands—are under mounting pressure. Since 1970, wetland extent has decreased by 50 percent, while 28 percent of assessed species endemic to Europe and Central Asia are now threatened with extinction.

Recent assessments produced by IPBES and the IPCC highlight a critical insight: biodiversity loss and climate change are deeply interlinked, and addressing them in isolation is no longer viable. An integrated, systemic response is required.

The meeting was structured as a three-day learning and action process:

Day 1: Co-initiating and co-sensing: Building shared intention, framing the overall context, and grounding discussions through dialogue and an immersive site visit.

Day 2: Sensing and presencing: Deepening the understanding of the biodiversity–climate nexus and applying insights to national contexts through interactive group work, including the "Tree of Life" exercise.

Day 3: Co-creating and prototyping: Turning knowledge into action through shared reflection, and identifying practical next steps and pathways to be implemented at the national level.

FPWC’s participation in this forum is another important step toward aligning environmental projects implemented at the local level in Armenia with advanced international scientific expertise and global strategies, especially ahead of UN COP17, which Armenia will host this autumn.