On November 5, the Third Global Armenian Summit began in Yerevan. The RA Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs organized the event.
The RA NA President Ruben Rubinyan gave a speech at the solemn opening ceremony of the Summit.
“Dear Mr High Commissioner,
Dear colleagues,
Dear compatriots, guests,
I welcome all of you to the capital Yerevan on the occasion of the opening of the Third Global Diaspora Summit.
I am glad that about 800 participants have gathered here – our compatriots from 55 countries around the world, representatives of the Armenian communities and organizations, scholars, businessmen, and figures from the fields of culture, education and public life.
Your presence testifies to the fact that the dialogue concerning the future of Armenia - and, in general, our shared future as a whole, has great potential.
The previous two summits established an important platform for dialogue between Armenia and the Diaspora. Today, our problem is not only to strengthen the ties already formed but to bring new content to our cooperation.
Dear compatriots,
Today, while speaking about the relations between Armenia and the Diaspora, we cannot bypass the ideology or the concept of the “Real Armenia.”
What is the Real Armenia?
The Real Armenia is our state with its internationally recognized territory and borders, its citizens, state institutions, democratic system and aspiration for development.
It is our homeland, where we live, work, create, make decisions, and bear responsibility for the future of our own and next generations.
Advancing the concept of Real Armenia does not mean renouncing our history, national identity, culture, or ties with Armenians across the world. On the contrary, it means turning our rich heritage into a foundation for robust statehood and modern development, while making the state the focal point for all pan-national dreams and goals.
This is our wealth. However, the task before us is to transform this wealth into a future and to direct it toward Armenia in the political and economic senses of the word, and, yes, in the physical sense as well.
And the future is built through a strong, secure, democratic, and developing state. The Real Armenia should be a country where peace is not merely a temporary pause in conflict, but an opportunity for development and the foundation for a normal life, a place where the rule of law, human rights, and democratic institutions are an everyday reality.
Dear attendees,
The Diaspora can also contribute to the development of such an Armenia.
We do not wish to limit Armenia-Diaspora relations only to patriotic sentiments, historical memory, or philanthropy. These are important, but our cooperation can and should be much more comprehensive.
We wish to see the contribution of Diaspora Armenian specialists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and young people to the development of Armenia’s economy, science, education, sports, health care, technology, and culture. And if this contribution takes the form of repatriation, we - the Armenians of Armenia - would be overjoyed, just as any brother or sister is overjoyed when reunited.
We need not only investments but also knowledge, experience, innovation, professional networks, and joint projects. Armenia must become a platform for international cooperation and new opportunities.
The topics included in the agenda of this summit - from democracy and regional peace to the economy, education, healthcare, artificial intelligence, and the environment - reflect this very aspiration.
The COP17 Conference, recently held at this very venue, proved once again that our country is capable of hosting events of global significance and contributing to the shaping of the global agenda. We should be able to combine Armenia’s potential with the international experience and connections of the Diaspora.
At the same time, we must realise that the Diaspora is not a unified or homogeneous structure. It has diverse histories, environments, priorities, and approaches. Our task is to listen to one another, respect our differences, and find common ground for cooperation. The Armenia-Diaspora relations must be built upon mutual respect, trust and concrete action.
Dear compatriots,
I think this Summit should not be limited to good discussions and eloquent phrasing. It should serve as a launch platform for concrete ideas, initiatives, and new cooperation programmes. Our goal is for the connections and agreements formed during these days to endure after the Summit and turn into tangible results.
It is our common responsibility to pass on to future generations not only a rich history and national identity, but also a strong, secure, democratic, and developing Armenia - an Armenia of which Armenians living in different countries of the are proud, and in building its future they participate through their knowledge, labour, initiatives, and investments, and, as I have already stressed - through repatriation.
A century ago (in 1921), the great writer Hovhannes Tumanyan addressed Armenians across the world, calling upon them to hear the voice of the homeland and promote the creation of a free and prosperous nation. Today, that call takes on a new meaning. Our task is to work together to build a strong, secure, democratic, and developing state - a Real Armenia - which will serve as a centre for consolidating our national potential and as a foundation for our shared future.
I am confident that this Summit will contribute to that goal.
I wish all of us effective discussions, new ideas, interesting meetings and successful cooperation.
Long live the Republic of Real Armenia.
Thank you,” the NA President noted.
