HRES 1616

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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. <all>