Acting Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh Gagik Baghunts sent a message to the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, delegates and participants of the CBD COP-17 conference. "Underlining the importance of the preservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of natural resources and the effective participation of the public in the ecological decision-making process, we express our deep concern for the Armenian people of Artsakh. "Regarding the ecological and biocultural consequences of the forced displacement of the country". In September 2023, about 120,000 Armenians were forcibly displaced from Artsakh and resettled in Armenia. Displacement resulted not only in the loss of homes, property, and livelihoods, but also in the severing of generations-old bonds between communities and the natural, cultural, and social environments of their historic settlements. Forced removal of the bearers of this knowledge may jeopardize the possibility of their further use and transmission to future generations, which also affects the possibilities of environmental protection. Traditional agriculture, irrigation and water supply systems, forests and pastures, shrines, and cultural practices associated with rural settlements together form a unique bio-cultural system. Its destruction means the loss of bio-cultural diversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional knowledge and experience that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, as well as the participation of their holders in � approval. The Kunming-Montreal Global Framework for Biological Diversity, adopted in 2022, emphasizes the need for effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in biodiversity-related initiatives. in the decision-making process, as well as respect for their rights. In this context, it is necessary to take into account the traditional knowledge and experience of Armenians displaced from Artsakh, as the native population of the region. Considering the above, we call on the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the participants of COP-17: to pay due attention to the bio-cultural consequences of the forced displacement of Artsakh Armenians, ensure meaningful participation of displaced communities in ecological research, environmental initiatives and ecosystems development of rehabilitation programs, emphasize the interdependence of environmental goals and human rights protection, to continue the discussion of the issues of protection of the displaced population's rights with an appropriate international mechanism within the framework of these, taking into account the need to protect rights related to housing, property, cultural heritage and natural environment. We call on the participants of COP-17 to consider this issue in the context of biodiversity conservation, cultural succession and interdependence of human rights, as well as the unhindered movement of Artsakh Armenians to the historical homeland. "In the context of the right to safe and sound return," the message reads.