Recognizing the importance of biodiversity conservation, welcoming the Republic of Armenia as host of the Seventeenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and supporting the protection of Armenia's sovereign territory and natural heritage.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1616 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1616

Recognizing the importance of biodiversity conservation, welcoming the 
     Republic of Armenia as host of the Seventeenth Meeting of the 
 Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, 
  and supporting the protection of Armenia's sovereign territory and 
                           natural heritage.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 5, 2026

   Mr. Valadao (for himself and Mr. Pallone) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Recognizing the importance of biodiversity conservation, welcoming the 
     Republic of Armenia as host of the Seventeenth Meeting of the 
 Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, 
  and supporting the protection of Armenia's sovereign territory and 
                           natural heritage.

Whereas healthy forests, clean water, productive farmland, wildlife habitats, 
        and responsibly managed natural resources support food security, public 
        health, economic growth, and strong and resilient communities;
Whereas responsible conservation is most effective when advanced through sound 
        science, local stewardship, technological innovation, voluntary action, 
        private enterprise, and public-private partnerships;
Whereas American leadership in agricultural technology, forestry, water 
        management, scientific research, and environmental innovation has 
        strengthened conservation efforts in the United States and around the 
        world;
Whereas international scientific cooperation and the voluntary exchange of best 
        practices can advance the responsible management of natural resources 
        while respecting national sovereignty and local decisionmaking;
Whereas the Republic of Armenia will host the Seventeenth Meeting of the 
        Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 
        Yerevan from October 19 through October 30, 2026;
Whereas the United States signed the Convention on Biological Diversity on June 
        4, 1993, and, while not a party to the Convention, has continued to 
        advance biodiversity conservation through scientific research, 
        technological innovation, voluntary partnerships, and international 
        cooperation;
Whereas Armenia Tree Project, a United States-based program, has advanced 
        reforestation, environmental education, sustainable forestry, economic 
        opportunity, and community development throughout Armenia for more than 
        30 years and is approaching the planting of its 10,000,000th tree;
Whereas cooperation between the United States and Armenia in conservation 
        science, agricultural technology, sustainable forestry, water 
        management, wildfire prevention, education, and environmental resilience 
        advances shared economic, security, and humanitarian interests;
Whereas partnerships among American businesses, universities, nonprofit 
        organizations, agricultural producers, scientists, and their Armenian 
        counterparts can develop practical, locally informed, and market-driven 
        solutions to conservation challenges; and
Whereas scientific, educational, agricultural, and professional exchanges 
        strengthen the strategic partnership and enduring friendship between the 
        United States and Armenia: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the importance of conserving forests, water 
        resources, agricultural lands, wildlife habitats, and other 
        natural resources for future generations;
            (2) welcomes the Republic of Armenia as host of the 
        Seventeenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the 
        Convention on Biological Diversity;
            (3) affirms the importance of continued American leadership 
        in conservation science, agricultural technology, forestry, 
        water management, environmental innovation, and voluntary 
        public-private partnerships;
            (4) supports conservation policies that promote local 
        stewardship, economic opportunity, scientific integrity, 
        private-sector participation, voluntary cooperation, and 
        respect for national sovereignty;
            (5) supports accountability for any individual, government, 
        or military entity found responsible for the unlawful 
        destruction of protected forests and natural resources within 
        the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia;
            (6) commends Armenia Tree Project for its contributions to 
        reforestation, environmental education, sustainable forestry, 
        economic development, and community resilience in Armenia and 
        recognizes its approaching milestone of planting 10,000,000 
        trees;
            (7) encourages continued cooperation between the United 
        States and Armenia on conservation science, agricultural 
        technology, sustainable forestry, water management, wildfire 
        prevention, education, and environmental resilience;
            (8) encourages partnerships among American businesses, 
        universities, nonprofit organizations, agricultural producers, 
        scientists, and their Armenian counterparts to develop 
        practical, locally informed, and market-driven conservation 
        solutions; and
            (9) supports scientific, educational, agricultural, and 
        professional exchanges that strengthen the strategic 
        partnership and enduring friendship between the United States 
        and Armenia.
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