President Vahagn Khachaturyan's working visit to the United States of America

On September 21, during his working visit to New York, USA, President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan attended a reception held at Armenia's Mission to the UN on the occasion of Armenia's Independence Day.

The President congratulated the Mission's staff and the Armenian delegation on the occasion, wishing them productive work and success for the development, prosperity, and peace of Armenia.

"Independence Day is the most important holiday of the state, and the establishment of peace is a victory of diplomacy. On this festive day, I wish, first of all, such victories to our diplomats, and then to all of us, peace and development for our people," the President noted.

The President also toured the Mission's building and familiarized himself with the conditions.

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Within the framework of his working visit to New York, President Vahagn Khachaturyan delivered a speech at the 7th European Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East

President Vahagn Khachaturyan's speech:

"Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to express my gratitude to President Ghribi for the opportunity to participate in the 7th European Corporate Council.

Armenia attaches particular importance to the deepening its relations with African states and seeks to develop economic, trade, cultural and educational cooperation with region. Despite the geographical distance, we share common goals of sustainable development, formation of peaceful and inclusive societies, ensuring access to justice for all and many others.

While every sector - be it education, environment, health, economy, energy or agro-industry - is of crucialimportance for sustainable development, one should admit that we cannot consider progress and prosperity if we have lack of peace.

Peace is the foundation on which development is grounded in, and society flourishes.

After decades long conflict, at a point Armenia reshaped its thinking, based on imperative of establishment of peace. Only such a vision promotes growth, stimulates development, and lifts the people out of poverty. It supports democracy and gives citizens the right to choose. It evolves freedom, justice, equality and security.

Slightly more than a month ago the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the United States, in this county's capital Washington D.C., initialed Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and adopted trilateral declaration on the peace process. This very progress became possible to the personal engagement of President Trump and his Administration's efforts to put an end to 3-decades long conflict. "It always seems impossible until it's done," - once said a great son of Africa Nelson Mandela.

Following establishment of conditions conducive to peace - building of a modern, competitive, economically advanced and politically stable country is a top priority for Armenia's leadership. While our greatest asset is the educated, diligent and law-abiding society.

I put "educated" first, since absolutely confident that education is the key element to overcome poverty, paving the way to progress and prosperity of a society. One can't verbalize better than Nelson Mandela has done, by saying: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." I believe this is the best way to describe the value and power of education.

Dear Colleagues,

Armenia has been elected to host the 17th meeting COP17 on Biodiversity, to be held in Yerevan, October 2026. I sincerely looking forward to welcoming you and your countries distinguished high-level delegations in Armenia.

My country is ready to expand cooperation with African partners, as we have mutual interests and commonchallenges in the field of biodiversity.

We also look forward to cooperating with our international partners to bring the global environmental process back on track.

I also want to reiterate Armenia's readiness to raise theconcerns of vulnerable regions, foster inclusive partnerships, and mobilize international financial resources within the framework of the COP17 Presidency.

I would like to seize this opportunity to inform you, that Armenia takes an active role and supports the creation of strong international mechanisms to prevent and eliminate crimes against humanity. We strongly believe that human rights violations must receive adequate and equal response in all conflicts.

Today we are witnessing a widespread retreat from democratic principles. This process is accompanied by a relentless attack on the foundations of democratic institutions. It is therefore necessary to unite our efforts to counter all pressures and threats and to unconditionally uphold the rules by which we want to be guided.

Dear Friends,

I started my remarks from commending the peace in my region, and similarly I would like to conclude with the same message, wishing to the great African continent - full of talented, motivated and ambitious men and women - lasting and durable peace - as a key element for safety and security, as well as progress and prosperity."

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During his working visit to New York, President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, President of the Republic of Iraq.

The meeting addressed a range of issues on the Armenia-Iraq bilateral agenda.

Both sides emphasized the necessity of deepening political dialogue and practical cooperation, built on the dynamic development of Armenian-Iraqi relations and mutual interest.

The sides highlighted the importance of expanding bilateral economic cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, and other areas of mutual interest. In this context, the need to establish direct flights between Yerevan and Baghdad was stressed as an important tool for promoting political, economic, and tourism ties.

The interlocutors positively assessed the recently held Armenian-Iraqi business forum and underlined the importance of continuously promoting such initiatives.

The discussion also touched upon regional developments and the general situation. In particular, special emphasis was placed on the work being carried out to establish lasting and stable peace following the pre-signing of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on August 8 of this year, the prospects for implementing the "Crossroads of Peace" program, and the potential for realizing mutually beneficial regional opportunities.

During the conversation, the Presidents also highlighted the importance of further developing cooperation in the field of education. In this regard, President Vahagn Khachaturyan noted that the opening of a branch of the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne in Gyumri, Armenia, could provide a good opportunity for Iraqi students as well, which would promote the activation of student exchange programs.

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During his working visit to New York, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Nick Tzitzon, Vice Chairman of ServiceNow. The meeting focused on opportunities for cooperation between Armenia and international technology companies, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence, high technologies, and digitalization.

ServiceNow is an American technology company primarily engaged in business process automation through a single integrated platform. The company develops cloud-based solutions that help organizations efficiently manage their workflows-from IT services to human resources, security issues, and customer support.

President Khachaturyan highly valued the effective cooperation already established between the Armenian Creative Technologies College (ACT) and ServiceNow. This partnership provides students with the opportunity to develop modern technological skills and become involved in leading international projects.

The meeting also discussed prospects for expanding cooperation, including educational and research programs, as well as areas of technological innovation and digitalization. The President reaffirmed Armenia's commitment to fostering new international partnerships and supporting the development of the technology sector.

It was emphasized during the conversation that such meetings are an important step toward strengthening Armenia's presence in international technological platforms and encouraging leading companies to participate in the country's educational and high-tech programs.

Organizational and substantive issues related to the upcoming UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP-17 Conference, to be held in Armenia in 2026, were also discussed. In this regard, the Vice Chairman of ServiceNow expressed readiness to provide possible support for the holding of the conference.

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During his working visit to New York, the President of the Republic, Vahagn Khachaturyan, took part in a panel discussion within the framework of the Concordia Summit.

In the panel format, the President presented details about Armenia, our region, as well as the general situation and challenges.

President Khachaturyan, in particular, addressed the importance of the document initialed on August 8 between Armenia and Azerbaijan, considering it a significant step toward establishing regional stability and long-term peace.

He emphasized that the process is also important in the context of the involvement and support of international partners.

The President also spoke about the memoranda of cooperation between Armenia and the United States, which relate to the fields of artificial intelligence, infrastructure investments, and the further development of bilateral relations. The President stressed that these initiatives open new prospects not only for Armenia's economy but also strengthen the foundations of the Armenian-American strategic partnership.

The President also presented details about Armenia's proposed "Crossroads of Peace" project, aimed at promoting long-term stability, strengthening partnerships, and fostering economic development in the region.

Referring to the technology sector, President Khachaturyan noted that Armenia aims to develop an innovative ecosystem, stimulate the growth of startups, and expand cooperation with leading international technology hubs. He emphasized that the application of new technologies and artificial intelligence will not only enhance the competitiveness of the country's economy but also make Armenia a more attractive platform for international investors and partners.

President Khachaturyan also touched upon the importance of the upcoming European Political Community Summit in Armenia in 2026 and the UN COP-17 Conference on Biodiversity, emphasizing that these events are an important opportunity for Armenia to strengthen international cooperation and present our country's investments in global processes.

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During his working visit to New York, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan participated in an event held at the Meridian International Center, dedicated to the development directions of artificial intelligence and the high-tech sector.

Within the framework of the event, President Khachaturyan delivered a speech, presenting the specific features of Armenia and our region. He emphasized the historic significance of the pre-signing of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan on August 8, describing it as an important step for the security, stability, and economic development of our country.

The President also drew special attention to the Armenia-U.S. cooperation memoranda signed on the same day, emphasizing that they open a new era of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of high technologies and innovation.

In his speech, Vahagn Khachaturyan highlighted that Armenia is consistently moving along the path of high-tech and digital development, creating a competitive environment for investment. He presented the specific features of the country's economic development and the broad opportunities for investment in innovative projects.

According to the President, Armenia's goal is to become a regional technological hub, where the application of artificial intelligence and digital solutions will contribute not only to economic growth but also to the improvement of the quality of life in society.

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Within the framework of the Concordia Summit held in New York, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan met with George Logothetis, Executive Chairman of Libra Group.

During the meeting, the sides discussed opportunities and prospects for cooperation in the fields of high technologies, energy, and in particular, renewable energy. President Khachaturyan presented Armenia's economic and investment policy priorities, emphasizing that the country has adopted a sustainable development agenda in which innovative solutions and green energy play a key role.

They also discussed issues related to the implementation of investment programs and the modernization of energy infrastructure. In this context, special attention was given to the development of solar energy systems and their potential to enhance Armenia's energy independence and efficiency.

George Logothetis highly valued the opportunities for cooperation with Armenia, stressing his warm regard for the Armenian people. He reaffirmed Libra Group's readiness to consider and develop cooperation programs that could contribute to the development of Armenia's economy and technological environment.

During the conversation, the sides highlighted the importance of building mutually beneficial and long-term partnerships, which would strengthen both Armenia's economy and international cooperation.

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During his working visit to New York, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan held a meeting with Franco Spicciariello, Director of Public Policy for the European Union and the entire Mediterranean Europe at Amazon Web Services (AWS), and David Roth, Director of International Public Policy at Amazon.

The meeting focused on the prospects for the development and application of high technologies in Armenia, emphasizing the importance of this sector in fostering economic growth, creating an innovative environment, and enhancing competitiveness.

The President stressed the importance of effectively utilizing renewable energy potential, noting that it is not only vital for strengthening energy security and ensuring sustainable development, but can also serve as a reliable resource for the advancement of artificial intelligence and the high-tech sector.

Opportunities for cooperation in the field of cybersecurity were also discussed, recognizing it as a key component for the stability of the information society and the effectiveness of public governance. The sides highlighted the need for experience sharing, joint projects, and the introduction of cutting-edge tools to ensure a high level of cybersecurity.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan highly appreciated AWS's continued support for the activities of the Virtual Institute of Artificial Intelligence. The prospects of developing a joint program for the application of AI in public policy-making were also discussed, which would allow raising the effectiveness of public governance to a new level and laying the foundations for an innovative policy culture in Armenia.

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Within the framework of his working visit to New York, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan held a meeting with His Holiness Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.

During the meeting, the sides discussed opportunities for cooperation in the preservation of Christian cultural heritage. They emphasized the importance of protecting cultural values of universal significance, highlighting their global relevance and timeliness.

The discussion also touched upon humanitarian activities and cooperation in addressing humanitarian issues. The President of the Republic highly appreciated His Holiness's humanitarian work and his demonstrated readiness in that regard.

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During his working visit to New York, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan participated in the event of the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion, founded by Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi.

The President of the Republic delivered a speech, highlighting the vital significance of humanistic activity. President Khachaturyan particularly emphasized the need to enshrine humanism as a fundamental principle of human relations, international cooperation, and peaceful coexistence.

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During his working visit to New York, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan visited the St. Vartan Armenian Church in New York.

The President learned about the history of the church's foundation and activities, and later spoke with representatives of the local Armenian community.

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Within the framework of his working visit to New York, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan visited a synagogue in the Queens district, after which he met with representatives of various Jewish organizations in New York.

During the meeting, issues related to the development of bilateral relations and the exploration of new opportunities for cooperation were discussed.

They also touched upon the prospects for implementing joint investment programs in mutually beneficial sectors, with the participation of Armenian business circles.

The President's working visit concluded.