Armenia-Diaspora relations should be based on mutual trust and practical cooperation: Zareh Sinanyan

The Third Global Armenian Summit has officially opened in Armenia, bringing together participants to discuss the present and future of Armenia-Diaspora relations, Armenia’s development priorities, and opportunities for joint cooperation.

Speaking at the opening of the summit, Zareh Sinanyan, Armenia’s Chief Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, emphasized that Armenia-Diaspora relations should be built not only on a shared history and national identity, but also on common goals, mutual trust, and practical cooperation.

“We have gathered in Armenia from different parts of the world to discuss the present and future of Armenia-Diaspora relations, share our assessments of the current situation, and plan what we can do together in the future.

Through the daily work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, our visits to Armenian communities, and our direct interactions with fellow Armenians, we are constantly reminded that Armenia-Diaspora relations should be built not only on a shared history and national identity, but also on a realistic understanding of current circumstances, common goals, mutual trust, and practical cooperation,” Sinanyan said.

He noted that the Diaspora is diverse, and Armenians around the world have different experiences and perspectives, and sometimes significantly different perceptions and approaches. The goal, however, is not to agree on every issue, but to turn this diversity into constructive dialogue and effective cooperation.

“Our approach is as follows: the Republic of Armenia-with its sovereignty, statehood, democratic institutions, and priorities-must remain at the center of Armenia-Diaspora relations. We can and must unite around the goal of building and preserving a sovereign, peaceful, and prosperous Republic of Armenia, while also strengthening our communities,” the Chief Commissioner stressed.

Sinanyan also addressed the importance of reciprocity in Armenia-Diaspora relations, noting that for many years the discussion had focused primarily on what the Diaspora could give to Armenia. In his view, the reverse question is equally important: what can Armenia offer Armenians around the world?

“We want our compatriots to see Armenia not only as a place where they can preserve their roots and identity, but also as a country where they can live with dignity, work, receive an education, create, invest, and build their future. We want Armenia to become a home for our compatriots in the Diaspora in particular, and a place where they can find genuine opportunities to shape their future.

The day-to-day work of the Government of the Republic of Armenia is directed toward the country's stable and secure development. Our goal is to build a state, an Armenia, that not only its residents will not want to leave, but where our compatriots from the Diaspora will also want to live,” he said.

According to Sinanyan, the ongoing reforms are already yielding results, reflected not only in figures and indicators but also in changes taking place in people's everyday lives. At the same time, he stressed that the road to achieving this goal is long and difficult, and the Diaspora has a distinctive role to play in this effort.

“How will we travel this road together, and what role is envisioned for each of us? The Global Armenian Summit is an important platform for dialogue and cooperation aimed precisely at finding answers to these questions.

In the coming days, we will discuss together Armenia’s development priorities, regional developments, the economy, innovation, education, culture, science, and many other topics in which the Diaspora’s knowledge, experience, and potential can play an important role,” the Chief Commissioner said.

He particularly emphasized that the summit’s purpose was not merely to organize discussions. According to Sinanyan, the success of the event should not be measured by the number of participants, events held, or speeches delivered. What matters more is the outcome of the meetings.

“What matters far more to us is what happens after these meetings: which ideas turn into initiatives, what new partnerships are formed, and what practical results they deliver. Strengthening Armenia-Diaspora relations certainly cannot be confined to a single event or the discussions held there. It requires daily, consistent, and long-term work,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Sinanyan called on summit participants to engage actively in the discussions, raise the issues that concern them, share their experience, and put forward proposals.

“We are open to frank dialogue and are confident that it must lead to concrete steps and joint work. I wish us all productive work, meaningful discussions, and, above all, practical results,” he said.

The Third Global Armenian Summit has officially opened in Armenia, bringing together participants to discuss the present and future of Armenia-Diaspora relations, Armenia’s development priorities, and opportunities for joint cooperation.

Speaking at the opening of the summit, Zareh Sinanyan, Armenia’s Chief Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, emphasized that Armenia-Diaspora relations should be built not only on a shared history and national identity, but also on common goals, mutual trust, and practical cooperation.

“We have gathered in Armenia from different parts of the world to discuss the present and future of Armenia-Diaspora relations, share our assessments of the current situation, and plan what we can do together in the future.

Through the daily work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, our visits to Armenian communities, and our direct interactions with fellow Armenians, we are constantly reminded that Armenia-Diaspora relations should be built not only on a shared history and national identity, but also on a realistic understanding of current circumstances, common goals, mutual trust, and practical cooperation,” Sinanyan said.

He noted that the Diaspora is diverse, and Armenians around the world have different experiences and perspectives, and sometimes significantly different perceptions and approaches. The goal, however, is not to agree on every issue, but to turn this diversity into constructive dialogue and effective cooperation.

“Our approach is as follows: the Republic of Armenia-with its sovereignty, statehood, democratic institutions, and priorities-must remain at the center of Armenia-Diaspora relations. We can and must unite around the goal of building and preserving a sovereign, peaceful, and prosperous Republic of Armenia, while also strengthening our communities,” the Chief Commissioner stressed.

Sinanyan also addressed the importance of reciprocity in Armenia-Diaspora relations, noting that for many years the discussion had focused primarily on what the Diaspora could give to Armenia. In his view, the reverse question is equally important: what can Armenia offer Armenians around the world?

“We want our compatriots to see Armenia not only as a place where they can preserve their roots and identity, but also as a country where they can live with dignity, work, receive an education, create, invest, and build their future. We want Armenia to become a home for our compatriots in the Diaspora in particular, and a place where they can find genuine opportunities to shape their future.

The day-to-day work of the Government of the Republic of Armenia is directed toward the country's stable and secure development. Our goal is to build a state, an Armenia, that not only its residents will not want to leave, but where our compatriots from the Diaspora will also want to live,” he said.

According to Sinanyan, the ongoing reforms are already yielding results, reflected not only in figures and indicators but also in changes taking place in people's everyday lives. At the same time, he stressed that the road to achieving this goal is long and difficult, and the Diaspora has a distinctive role to play in this effort.

“How will we travel this road together, and what role is envisioned for each of us? The Global Armenian Summit is an important platform for dialogue and cooperation aimed precisely at finding answers to these questions.

In the coming days, we will discuss together Armenia’s development priorities, regional developments, the economy, innovation, education, culture, science, and many other topics in which the Diaspora’s knowledge, experience, and potential can play an important role,” the Chief Commissioner said.

He particularly emphasized that the summit’s purpose was not merely to organize discussions. According to Sinanyan, the success of the event should not be measured by the number of participants, events held, or speeches delivered. What matters more is the outcome of the meetings.

“What matters far more to us is what happens after these meetings: which ideas turn into initiatives, what new partnerships are formed, and what practical results they deliver. Strengthening Armenia-Diaspora relations certainly cannot be confined to a single event or the discussions held there. It requires daily, consistent, and long-term work,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Sinanyan called on summit participants to engage actively in the discussions, raise the issues that concern them, share their experience, and put forward proposals.

“We are open to frank dialogue and are confident that it must lead to concrete steps and joint work. I wish us all productive work, meaningful discussions, and, above all, practical results,” he said.