2024 APRI Forum: Building Tomorrow

Building Tomorrow

Yerevan, Armenia

  • June 26-28, 2024

APRI Armenia’s three-day Forum kicked off with in-depth discussions on the geopolitical challenges and opportunities facing Armenia and the region. Through engaging keynote addresses, fireside chats, and insightful panel discussions, we explored the basis of Armenia’s foreign policy strategy, navigated the security complexities of a changing world order, and unpacked some of the most promising diplomatic opportunities Armenia can offer. The day featured dedicated sessions examining bilateral relations and a forward-looking exploration of environmental diplomacy and building a sustainable future.

Day 2 examined Armenia’s economic future and opportunities for sustainable prosperity. Inspiring examples of successful economic transformations from other countries were explored, with discussions focusing on how Armenia can attract significant investments and improve its infrastructure. Critical issues such as sustainable farming practices, clean energy solutions, and digital adaptation were also addressed. The afternoon broadened the conversation to encompass the environment, health, transportation, and artificial intelligence, reflecting a holistic perspective on Armenia’s future possible development. We wrapped up Day 2 with an inspirational intervention on creating a vibrant entrepreneurial culture in Armenia.

The final day of our conference turned its focus toward Armenia’s long-term strategic development and its people. It explored public opinion on the country’s political journey, examine key bilateral relationships, such as with India, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, and analyze critical security considerations in a changing world. Additionally, the day featured discussions on building a future-proof workforce through education and international partnerships, along with sessions exploring the future of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and empowering Armenia’s regional communities.

8:30

Registration

9:15

Opening Session

  • Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia

9:30

Keynote: Armenia’s Strategic Diversification in a Changing World Order

The Republic of Armenia is undergoing its most important geopolitical shift since independence, engaging new country partners and building a new matrix of dependencies in the political, diplomatic, and military spheres. This opening session of the 2024 APRI Forum will draw on regional and international perspectives to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of Armenia’s strategic priorities. It will also shed light on the opportunities and challenges for peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

  • Armen Grigoryan, Secretary, Security Council of Armenia
  • Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia

10:00

Forging New Country Partnerships: The Path Forward

Over the past year, Greece, India, France, and Armenia have engaged in cross-cutting conversations that have opened the door to higher levels of cooperation. Where has this begun to bear fruit? Where could it lead next in bilateral and multilateral formats for collaboration?

  • Despoina-Ino Afentouli, Executive Director, Institute of International Relations
  • Colonel Bruno Cunat, Deputy Head of the Europe, North America and Multilateral Action Department, Direction Générale des Relations Internationales et de la Stratégie
  • Leonid Nersisyan, Senior Research Fellow, APRI Armenia
  • Lieutenant General Arun Sahni, Distinguished Fellow, CLAWS and Strategic Advisor, TATA Group


Moderator: Anahide Pilibossian, Vice President of Strategy and Development, APRI Armenia

10:45

Expanding Engagement and Testing the Limits of EU–Armenia Relations

Pledges of support and expansion of ties between the European Union and Armenia have publicly intensified over the past year, up to the point of open statements by Armenian officials around potential candidate status for EU accession. What are the opportunities and limitations of the EU’s engagement with Armenia? How do they align with its foreign policy vision for the South Caucasus?

  • H.E. Vassilis Maragos, Ambassador of the EU to Armenia
  • Armine G. Margaryan, President and Founder, Women and Global Security Architecture
  • Stefan Meister, Head of the Center for Order and Governance in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, German Council on Foreign Relations (Zoom)
  • Amanda Paul, Deputy Head of Europe in the World Programme and Senior Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre
  • Hugo von Essen, Analyst, Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies


Moderator: Anahide Pilibossian, Vice President of Strategy and Development, APRI Armenia

11:30

Coffee Break

12:00

How to Harness Technology for the Good of Tomorrow

Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia and one of the luminaries of the modern internet, shares his thoughts about building tomorrow through the emergence of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies and how they might shape our world. How can we harness the best of technology to build the future while avoiding the dangers it poses to our humanity?

  • Jimmy Wales, Founder, Wikipedia (Zoom)
  • Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia

12:30

Advancing Environmental Diplomacy: Partnerships for a Sustainable Future

Cohosted with the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment

In addressing the urgent global challenges posed by the climate crisis, the rapid loss of biodiversity, excessive freshwater consumption, and the pervasive threat of hazardous chemical pollution, nations must forge innovative partnerships and draw on the experiences of peers worldwide. This panel discussion examines how countries cultivate these crucial alliances and leverage environmental issues as a cornerstone of their foreign policy. By examining how environmental diplomacy can resolve conflicts and reshape international relationships, the discussion will explore the transformative potential of such cooperation in advancing a sustainable, shared future.

  • H.E. Nilakshi Saha Sinha, Ambassador of India to Armenia
  • H.E. Patrik Svensson, Ambassador of Sweden to Armenia


Moderator: Alen Amirkhanian, Director, Acopian Center for the Environment, American University of Armenia

13:00

Networking Lunch & Musical Guests

14:00

Future Security: The New Formula for Defense and Deterrence

In the South Caucasus, as in many parts of the world, the old formula for maintaining security has been undone by geostrategic shifts in power and declining global norms of behaviour. What are the new rules of order that are rising to replace the old ones? How will emerging technologies and the changing nature of warfare impact peace and stability? What strategies will every country need to adopt in order to achieve future security? Experts will discuss evidence-based approaches and innovative technologies that are transforming national and international security frameworks, touching upon cyber defense, advanced military technologies, and the integration of traditional and nontraditional security measures.

  • Tigran Hovhannisyan, Director, Independent Center for Defence Studies
  • Manu Pubby, Senior Editor, The Economic Times
  • Lieutenant General Arun Sahni, Distinguished Fellow, CLAWS and Strategic Advisor, TATA Group


Moderator: Leonid Nersisyan, Senior Research Fellow, APRI Armenia

14:45

Strengthening Armenia’s Security: Reflecting One Year On

Colonel Zhirayr Amirkhanyan returns to the APRI Forum to reexamine initiatives to enhance Armenia’s security. Topics will include military modernization, cybersecurity measures, and regional security collaborations. The session will focus on strategic approaches, practical solutions and emerging reforms that are setting the direction for Armenia’s national security policies.

  • Colonel Zhirayr Amirkhanian, Assistant to the Chief of General Staff, Ministry of Defense, Republic of Armenia

Moderator: Leonid Nersisyan, Senior Research Fellow, APRI Armenia

15:15

Panel Discussion: Armenia’s Strategic Diversification in a Changing World Order

The Republic of Armenia is undergoing its most important geopolitical shift since independence, engaging new country partners and building a new matrix of dependencies in the political, diplomatic, and military spheres. This opening session of the 2024 APRI Forum will draw on regional and international perspectives to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of Armenia’s strategic priorities. It will also shed light on the opportunities and challenges for peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

  • Despoina-Ino Afentouli, Executive Director, Institute of International Relations
  • Colonel (Retired) Robert E. Hamilton, Head of Eurasia Research, Foreign Policy Research Institute
  • Abhinav Pandya, Founder, Director and CEO, Usanas Foundation
  • Benyamin Poghosyan, Senior Research Fellow, APRI Armenia

Moderator: Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia

16:00

Coffee Break

16:30

Assessing US–Armenia Relations in a Second (Trump or Biden) Term

Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump have adopted dramatically different approaches to US engagement in the South Caucasus. In contrast to the isolationist policy orientation of the Trump years, Biden’s first term has seen more intensive engagement and a more active response to conflict flare-ups. What have we learned from the past eight years and what does it mean for a second Biden or Trump presidency? What will be the role of the United States in global affairs, in either scenario?

  • Colonel (Retired) Robert E. Hamilton, Head of Eurasia Research, Foreign Policy Research Institute
  • Dan Perry, Managing Partner, Thunder11
  • Eugene Rumer, Senior Fellow and Director, Carnegie’s Russia and Eurasia Program (Zoom)


Moderators: Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia and Verej Isanians, Senior Editor, APRI Armenia

17:15

What Armenia Wants (from America)

Given Armenia’s current aspirations, what are the country’s strategic priorities and expectations in its relationship with the United States? How can Armenia benefit from deeper economic ties, enhanced security cooperation, and increased diplomatic support from the US? With that in mind, what can Washington realistically deliver under a second Trump or Biden presidency?

  • Areg Kochinyan, President, Research Center on Security policy (Zoom)

Moderator: Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia

17:30

The Future of Work, Diasporas, and Working Diasporas

Localized is one of the world’s top startups for preparing workers for the jobs of the future. It began by bridging experts in the diaspora with their home countries to share their professional wisdom—a model of “knowledge remittances”—giving young people a head start in their careers and helping the economic development of their countries of origin. How can such a model support the prosperity and talent force of Armenia today? What can it teach us about the future of effective Armenia–diaspora collaboration?

  • Ronit Avni, Founder and CEO, Localized (Zoom)


Moderator: Hayk Margarian, Chair of the Trade and Investment Commission, International Chamber of Commerce National Committee Armenia

9:00

Registration

9:30

Education for the Future of Armenia

Larisa Hovanissian, one of Armenia’s most prolific changemakers, shares the triumphs, the inspiration and the lessons learned from more than a decade of work in educating for the future through Teach for Armenia.

  • Larisa Hovannisian, Founder and CEO, Teach For Armenia


Moderator: Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia

10:00

Assessing the Crossroads of Peace: Armenia’s Future in Trade, Transport, and Supply Chains

Armenia aims to be a bigger part of the global value chain in trade, transport, and economic production. How can an initiative such as the Crossroads of Peace and other elements of connectivity achieve this aim? What is Armenia’s part in the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and how can it be maximized to its fullest potential?

  • Gagik Aghajanyan, CEO, Apaven
  • Hrant Mikayelyan, Director, Armenian Research Institute
  • Dinkar Prakash Srivastava, Independent Scholar and Advisor on Oil, Gas, LNG, Port & Connectivity Issues
  • Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, Managing Director, European Neighbourhood Council


Moderator: Benyamin Poghosyan, Senior Research Fellow, APRI Armenia

10:45

Coffee Break

11:15

The Security of Small States and Middle Powers in a Changing World Order

How can small states survive and thrive in the coming decades as the global security order goes through an uncertain transformation? Through the lens of geopolitics, diplomacy, and strategic studies, we examine how countries such as Armenia can maintain their stability in a turbulent world.

  • Paruyr Hovhannisyan, Deputy Foreign Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Armenia
  • Ambassador Rainer Rudolph, Vice-Chairman, Munich Security Conference (zoom)


Moderator: Anahide Pilibossian, Vice President of Strategy and Development, APRI Armenia

12:00

Responsible Mining: Can it Fuel Armenia’s Growth?

What is the role of responsible mining in Armenia’s economic development? How can the mining sector contribute to growth while adhering to environmental and social standards? The conversation will cover best practices in sustainable mining, regulatory frameworks, and community engagement, explaining how Armenia can balance economic benefits with responsible practices, ensuring that mining activities support long-term prosperity and sustainability. The session aims to provide actionable recommendations for integrating responsible mining into Armenia’s broader economic strategy.

  • Artyom Geghamyan, Executive Chairman, International Chamber of Mines of Armenia


Moderator: Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia

12:15

Creating a Country Turnaround: How Can We Solve Complex Problems?

Bernise Ang, from her posts at Zeroth Labs and the National University of Singapore, helps emerging countries tackle some of their most complex and hard-to-solve problems. Her hands-on experience at the intersection of systems change and global development provides rare insight into creating a better future, leveraging each country’s potential to survive and thrive in a fast-changing world.

  • Bernise Ang, Chief Alchemist, Zeroth Labs (Zoom)


Moderator: Tatiana der Avedissian, Head of Business Development, World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group

12:45

Networking Lunch & Musical Guests

13:45

Public Administration Reform: A Global View

How can we improve government performance on a massive scale? Apolitical is a platform that aims to do just that—a network of public servants from more than 160 countries, exchanging ideas and best practices for government excellence. It is also a teaching tool that enables public servants around the world to take part in executive courses on government reform, the role of artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging technology, digitization, and innovation in the public sector. Pooja Warier Hamilton, one of the senior team leaders at Apolitical, shares what they are seeing at the cutting edge of public-sector work.

  • Verej Isanians, Senior Editor, APRI Armenia
  • Pooja Warier Hamilton, Chief Partnerships Officer, Apolitical (Zoom)


Moderator: Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia

14:15

Our Electric Future: Clean Cars, Clean Energy, and Beyond

Cohosted with the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment

Armenia has been steadily ramping up solar energy production to transition to a sustainable future. From electric cars to more clean energy initiatives, where does this lead next? Experts will discuss the advances in e-mobility and the infrastructure needed to support these developments. The conversation will highlight Armenia’s potential for adopting these technologies, the environmental and economic benefits, and the challenges that must be addressed in order to achieve a greener, more sustainable Armenia.

  • Karen Arabyan, Energy Lead, Amber Capital Armenia; CEO, Solis
  • Nelli Malyan, CEO, Team Systems
  • Hayk Shekyan, Founder and CEO, Shtigen Group of Companies; Chairman, Armenia–India Business Council


Moderator: Alen Amirkhanian, Director, Acopian Center for the Environment, American University of Armenia

14:45

Agricultural Transformation: Planting the Seeds of Tomorrow

What is the role of agriculture in Armenia’s economic and environmental transformation? How can it enhance national resilience and food security? Agricultural growth has been stagnant, even declining in certain parts of Armenia, and the country remains far from self-sufficient in food production. Given the benefits and growth opportunities that lie ahead, what is the path forward for the agriculture sector?

  • Vahe Keushguerian, Founder and CEO, WineWorks
  • Vardan Urutyan, Team Lead and Component Coordinator, International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education Armenia
  • Raffi Vartanian, Co-founder and CEO, Ziba Foods


Moderator: Alen Amirkhanian, Director, Acopian Center for the Environment, American University of Armenia

15:30

Building AI as Armenian Intelligence: How Far Can a Digital Armenia Go?

The panel discussion will highlight strategic initiatives, innovative projects, and policy frameworks to foster AI-driven innovation and digital growth. Participants will examine the opportunities and challenges of building a robust AI ecosystem and how Armenia can leverage these advances to drive economic development, enhance public services, and secure its place in the global digital landscape.

  • Ashot Arzumanyan, Partner, SmartGateVC
  • Hrant Khachatrian, Director, YerevaNN, ML Research group lead, Yerevan State University
  • Harut Martirosyan, CTO, Intent.ai
  • Suzanna Shamakhyan, Vice President, Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST)


Moderator: Raffi Kassarjian, CEO and Principal Advisor, Sensyan

16:30

Coffee Break

17:00

What Armenians Want: Reading Today’s Polls about Building Tomorrow

Drawing upon detailed data analysis and relevant fieldwork, some of Armenia’s leading research practitioners share the trends, ideas, and indicators that clarify how citizens think about their country’s future. What are they seeing from the surveys and data-driven approaches to realizing Armenia’s fullest potential?

  • Artak Shakaryan, Senior Program Manager, International Republican Institute
  • Tigran Tshorokhyan, Manager, UNDP Innovation and SDG Finance Portfolio


Moderator: Vache Gabrielyan, Dean, Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics, American University of Armenia

17:30

Managing Digital Transformations

Ari Libarikian, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and global co-leader of the firm’s Digital Practice, is a specialist in digital transformation and how to create innovation within long-running legacy systems. In this session, he shares some of the strategies for success that have guided companies, governments, and cutting-edge organizations in shaping their digital futures.

  • Ari Libarikian, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (Zoom)


Moderator: Verej Isanians, Senior Editor, APRI Armenia

18:00

Envisaging the Future of Armenia

To close a thought-provoking day, Hakob Abrahamyan, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Armenia, reflects on what we have learned and how it relates to the current efforts for national transformation. What are the roles of the state, the citizen, and the diaspora in this process? How can we work together to envisage and realize the best possible future?

  • Hakob Abrahamyan, Assistant to the Prime Minister of Armenia


Moderator: Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia

9:00pm

Registration

9:30

The Future of Armenia–Turkey Relations

The process of diplomatic normalization between Turkey and Armenia has been a long and winding road, largely shaped by the foreign policy outlook set in Ankara. Experts will discuss the historical context of Turkey–Armenia relations, recent developments, and prospects for the bilateral relationship, in the context of the South Caucasus at large.

  • Mustafa Aydin, President, International Relations Council, Turkey (Zoom)
  • Vazgen Karapetyan, Associate Director, Eurasia Partnership Foundation


Moderator: Benyamin Poghosyan, Senior Research Fellow, APRI Armenia

10:00

Module: Russia–Armenia Relations: Reaching a New Set Point

After decades of Armenian dependence on Russia in the economic, political, and military spheres, Armenia’s ties with its longtime ally are in a period of flux. What will be the new size and shape of Armenia’s relationship with Russia? How will the two countries find a new set point? What format and degree of cooperation is productive for both countries? Two luminaries share their perspectives on this weighty topic.

Part I:

  • Sergey Markedonov, Senior Fellow, MGIMO University


Moderator: Sergei Melkonian, Research Fellow, APRI Armenia

Part II:

  • Georgi Derluguian, Professor of Social Research and Public Policy, NYU Abu Dhabi


Moderator: Benyamin Poghosyan, Senior Research Fellow, APRI Armenia

11:15

Coffee Break

11:45

Building on the India–Armenia Moment(um)

Relations between India and Armenia have seen a dramatic upswing, with the establishment of high-level military and diplomatic ties. Economic and trade activity are set to follow. What do we need to understand about the direction and pace at which the India–Armenia partnership is growing? How does Armenia fit into India’s foreign policy, its vision for the Global South, and its role in the world order to come?

  • Apurv Kumar Mishra, Consultant, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Government of India
  • Karen Mkrtchyan, Executive Director, Armenia-India Business Council
  • Abhinav Pandya, Founder, Director and CEO, Usanas Foundation
  • Manu Pubby, Senior Editor, The Economic Times

Moderator: Nvard Chalikyan, Research Fellow, APRI Armenia

12:30

India–Armenia Ties: The People-to-People Context

The winner of APRI Armenia’s inaugural India–Armenia Essay Contest shares her perspectives on enhancing people-to-people ties, bringing the centuries-old civilizational relationship into a modern, multifaceted era of collaboration.

  • Khyati Singh, Research Associate, Centre for Air Power Studies


Moderator: Nvard Chalikyan, Research Fellow, APRI Armenia

12:45

Networking Lunch & Musical Guests

13:45

Re(thinking) Foreign Policy: Saudi–Armenia Relations

Faisal Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News and one of Saudi Arabia’s leading public thinkers, will discuss the evolving dynamics of Saudi-Armenia relations, focusing on this bilateral relationship’s strategic, economic, and cultural dimensions. The discussion will cover recent developments in bilateral ties, potential collaboration areas, and the broader context of Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy. Considering regional geopolitics and mutual interests, the conversation will highlight how both countries can benefit from enhanced cooperation.

  • Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News (Zoom)

Moderator: Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia

14:15

Armenia’s Relations with the Arab World

This session will examine the current and future prospects of Armenia’s relations with the Arab world. Experts will discuss the historical context, recent diplomatic initiatives, and economic partnerships that shape these interactions. The conversation will highlight opportunities for increased cooperation in trade, technology, education, and cultural exchange. Attendees will learn how Armenia can strengthen its ties with Arab countries, leveraging shared interests and mutual benefits to foster a more integrated and collaborative regional network.

  • Tigran Bakaryan, Research Scientist, Centre for Scientific Innovation and Education, Institute of Mathematics
  • Joseph A. Kéchichian, Senior Fellow, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (Zoom)
  • Armenak Tokmajyan, Research Fellow, Carnegie Middle East Center

Moderator: Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia

14:45

Understanding Iran’s View on the South Caucasus

The Islamic Republic of Iran remains a major actor in shaping strategic outcomes in the South Caucasus. What is Tehran’s perspective on recent events and ongoing talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan? How does Iran see itself in the region’s short- and long-term security architecture? What calculations guide Iran’s policies toward its neighbors to the north?

  • Majid Karimi, Member, Peripheral Borders Studies Group, Caucasus, National Defense University of Iran


Moderator: Sergei Melkonian, Research Fellow, APRI Armenia

15:15

Building Tomorrow’s Workforce Today

Armenia’s Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, Narek Mkrtchyan, shares the strategies that will prepare the country’s workforce to build prosperity for tomorrow. How can Armenia meet its urgent development priorities, supporting the most vulnerable in society while moving young and older adults into the high-skill economy?

  • Narek Mkrtchyan, Minister, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Republic of Armenia


Moderator: Greta Avetisyan, National Communications Lead, APRI Armenia

15:45

Coffee Break

16:00

Module: Investible Armenia: FDI and Business for Sustainable Growth

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is vital to Armenia’s stability and economic prosperity in its next chapter. What has the country learned from its past experiences with FDI and how does that shape the way forward for its economic development? How can Armenia succeed in forming international partnerships for the growth areas and megaprojects that will be key to its future prosperity?

Fireside Chat:

  • Léa Hakim, Senior Country Economist for Armenia, World Bank


Moderator: Patrick Elliott, Host, CivilNet

Panel Discussion:

  • Rafayel Gevorgyan, Deputy Chairman, State Revenue Committee
  • Tigran Jrbashyan, Partner, Director of Management Advisory, Ameria Advisory
  • Rafi Samardjian, Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce National Committee Armenia
  • Anushavan Simonyan, Managing Partner, Amber Capital Armenia (Zoom)


Moderator: Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia

17:00

Reflections from the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia

Markus Ritter, Head of the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA), returns to the APRI Forum stage to reflect on the lessons learned from their operations in the field, as well as the ongoing events and challenges along the Armenia–Azerbaijan border.

  • Markus Ritter, Head, European Union Mission in Armenia


Moderator: Anahide Pilibossian, Vice President of Strategy and Development, APRI Armenia

17:30

A Future for the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh

Leading civil society voices from Nagorno-Karabakh reflect on humanitarian aid and social development. What has been working and what are the opportunities to improve on current programs? How can we best support displaced communities and help populations, young and old, to achieve their highest potential?

  • Yana Avanesyan, Community Manager, AGBU Learn to Earn Artsakh Program
  • Siranush Sargsyan, Independent Journalist
  • Nina Shahverdyan, Teacher, Blogger, Civil Rights Activist


Moderator: Kim Hekimian, Visiting Senior Fellow, APRI Armenia

Open Popup
Speaker Name
Majid Karimi
Affiliation
Member, Peripheral Borders Studies Group, Caucasus, National Defense University of Iran
Bio
Majid Karimi is an author and expert on the Caucasus region. He is also a member of the Peripheral Borders Studies Group, Caucasus, at the National Defense University of Iran. Some of his books include Tats or Persian speakers of the East Caucasus, published in Persian and English, as well as Syunik, the epicenter of the crisis in the Caucasus, in Farsi. Furthermore, many of his articles have been published in the Mostaghel newspaper. Majid Karimi is a PhD candidate from the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, Department of Iranian Studies and Yerevan State University, Oriental Faculty.
Photo
Majid Karimi
Member, Peripheral Borders Studies Group, Caucasus, National Defense University of Iran
Open Popup
Speaker Name
Raffi Kassarjian
Affiliation
CEO and Principal Advisor, Sensyan
Bio
Raffi Kassarjian is CEO and Principal Advisor at Sensyan, a boutique advisory firm focused on the growing Armenian tech sector. Since moving to Armenia in 2008, Mr. Kassarjian has led the following organizations as CEO: iCON Communications (pioneer wireless internet service provider), TeamViewer Armenia (also serving as Senior Vice President at TeamViewer GmbH), and the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE). He was also a member of the Management Board of Converse Bank Corporation. Previously, Mr. Kassarjian was Vice President and General Manager (and member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team) at Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE: FICO), launching the company’s first internet product in 2000 and eventually managing over $200 million in revenue. Prior to Fair Isaac, he was a Senior Manager with Accenture’s Strategic Services group. Mr. Kassarjian holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration degrees from Stanford University. He is an adjunct lecturer at the American University of Armenia, and founding board member of Repat Armenia Foundation, Impact Hub Yerevan, and EVN Report.
Photo
Raffi Kassarjian
CEO and Principal Advisor, Sensyan
Open Popup
Speaker Name
Joseph A. Kéchichian
Affiliation
Senior Fellow, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies
Bio
Dr. Joseph A. Kéchichian is Senior Fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research & Islamic Studies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the CEO of Kéchichian & Associates, LLC, a consulting partnership that provides analysis on the Arabian/Persian Gulf region, specializing in the domestic and regional concerns of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. He held the post of Senior Writer with the Dubai-based Gulf News between 1 January 1995 and 31 August 2017, and served as the Honorary Consul of the Sultanate of Oman in Los Angeles, California, between 2006 and 2011. Kéchichian received his doctorate in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia in 1985, where he also taught (1986-1988), and assumed the assistant deanship in international studies (1988-1989). Between 1990 and 1996, he worked at the Santa Monica-based RAND Corporation as an Associate Political Scientist, and was a lecturer at the University of California in Los Angeles. The author of nineteen published books, his latest titles are The Nationalist Al Sa‘ud Advisor: Yusif Yassin of Sa‘udi Arabia; A Sultanate that Endures: Oman in the World from Qaboos bin Sa‘id to Haitham bin Tariq; Sa‘udi Policies towards Migrants and Refugees: A Sacred Duty (with Fahad L. Alsharif).
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Joseph A. Kéchichian
Senior Fellow, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies
Open Popup
Speaker Name
Vahe Keushguerian
Affiliation
Founder and CEO, WineWorks
Bio
Vahe Keushguerian is the Founder & CEO of WineWorks (a winery incubator that produces wine for 14 top Armenian wine brands) Co-Founder of EVN Wine Academy, and Owner of the first two nurseries that grow to propagate indigenous Armenian grape varieties. Vahe has around 30 years of experience in the global wine industry. He moved to Armenia in 2009 where he realized the potential of the Armenian wine industry and consulted on new wineries while starting the Karas Wine project, which in 2010 was the largest winery project in the country. In 2013 he founded WineWorks as well as Keush, which is a pioneer of traditional method sparkling wine. In 2017 he co-founded OSHIN, another premium Armenian wine project. In 2017 WineWorks partnered with ONEArmenia and DZ Studio over the “From Farm to Bottle” project to support grape farmers in creating their own wine brand. Vahe provided consulting on tourism, brand development and wine production services; as a result Momik Wines and WineCube were created. Furthermore, Vahe’s work extends beyond the wine industry, into civil society, where he is the Co-founder, Chairman of the board of both EVN Report and Impact Hub Yerevan.
Photo
Vahe Keushguerian
Founder and CEO, WineWorks
Open Popup
Speaker Name
Areg Kochinyan
Affiliation
President, Research Center on Security policy
Bio
Areg Kochinyan is a historian, political scientist, and president at the “”Research center on security policy”” NGO. Areg workes in the BoonTV as a host of Dilemma TV series. He worked in the GA educational complex as a history teacher (2020-2021), In the office of the RA Security Council, as the spokesperson of the Security Council Secretary (2018-2020), in the Development and Investment Fund of Syunik region of RA, as the chief coordinator of social and educational programs (2017-2018), in the “”Enlight”” public research center, as president (2016-2018), and in the “”Future is Yours”” NGO, as a project coordinator (2013-2016). Areg is doing a postgraduate course at YSU History Faculty. He holds a YSU History Faculty’s Master’s degree and Bachelor’s degree and YSU’s Faculty of International Relations, Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Areg’s research interests include security policy, international relations, transitional processes of societies, and the roles of the elites in the sociums. He publishes interviews, articles, analyses, columns and lectures in Armenian, English and Russian, is a graduate of the Diplomatic School of the MFA of RA, a graduate of the “”American Institute of Economic and Political studies”” of Charles University in Prague, and a graduate of the Rumsfeld fellowship in Washington DC.
Photo
Areg Kochinyan
President, Research Center on Security policy
Open Popup
Speaker Name
Ari Libarikian
Affiliation
Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
Bio
Ari Libarikian is a Senior Partner in McKinsey’s NY office who leads Leap by McKinsey globally, McKinsey’s global business building practice, and leads McKinsey’s Digital practice in North America. He is also one of the leaders of McKinsey’s global insurance practice. In his Digital role, he helps organizations develop and implement holistic and well-structured approaches to growth and transformation through the use of technology, data, and analytics. In his Leap role, he supports clients’ growth through new business-building, combining the experimental nature of start-ups with the operational excellence of corporates to create strong, digital businesses. Some examples of his recent client work include the following: • Helping a leading hospitality player launch and scale a new digital business • Supporting a life insurer develop and implement an end-to-end digital transformation program of its core business • Helping an industrials company build and scale a SaaS business • Supporting a Consumer organization build a digital platform-based business Ari also serves as a co-Chair of McKinsey’s global committee that recommends senior partner elections. Previously, Ari led the McKinsey’s digital practice in insurance, helping clients capture significant value through technology and data, as well as the Firm’s digital practice in the Northeast. In addition to his work with McKinsey, Ari serves on the board the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), and holds a Masters of Science from MIT, and a Bachelors of Engineering from McGill University.
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Ari Libarikian
Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
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Speaker Name
Nelli Malyan
Affiliation
CEO, Team Systems
Bio
Nelli Malyan is the Chief Executive Officer at Team Systems CJSC. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Kuban State University and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the American University of Armenia. Nelli is a high-performing operations-management executive with expertise in building business development, company strategy and overseas partnerships. She started her career journey in IT field in 2008 in IUnetworks, one of the leading Armenian IT and system integration companies and grew from International Relations Manager to the Head of Procurement and Deputy CEO. During these 12 years, the company realized multibillion projects in IT and engineering fields and became official partner of Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, Commscope, APC and other renowned brands. Since 2020 Nelli holds the position of Chief Executive Officer at Team Systems. The company is specialized in IT systems, electrical and low-current systems partnering with HP, Cisco, APC, Siemon, Legrand, Huawei, etc. In 2023 the company marked a significant milestone in e-mobility sector of Armenia by launching a national network of EV charging stations under the brand Team Energy. Team Systems became the distributor of Huawei solar inverters and Trina Solar photovoltaic panels in Armenia in 2023, distributing equipment to local companies as well as realizing high quality design and integration of large-scale solar projects. 2024 has been marked by introduction of a new strategic direction. Team Systems has launched Smart Place, a brand specialized in implementation of top-notch professional smart buildings, from Smart Home to smart Hotel or Factory. Team Systems is included in the list of the largest taxpayers in Armenia. Nelli is a member of the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises and Club Capital.
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Nelli Malyan
CEO, Team Systems
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Speaker Name
Hayk Margarian
Affiliation
Executive Board, Chair of Trade & Investment Commission, ICC Armenia, National Focal Point, United Nations Climate Technology Center and Network
Bio
Graduated from University of Maryland and Far Eastern Federal University, majoring in business administration. He has a long international experience in audit, economics, and co-founding and managing companies, including operation of factories, construction of governmental projects, catering, IT, educational language centers, import and export. Returned to Armenia with his wife and two children in 2020 to take on his role as the CEO of the National Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship after offering the Government of Armenia a complete new vision for ecosystem. Has helped more than 1000 entrepreneurs to open businesses in Armenia, developed technology transfer programs, given governmental subsidies, initiated business, tech and investment summits. Appointed Executive Board Member, Chair of Trade & Investment Commission at International Chamber of Commerce, National Committee – Armenia. The biggest and most reputable chamber in world established in 1919 in Paris with over 45 million members in over 100 countries with General Consultative Status at UN and Observer Status at WTO and G20 to Facilitate International Trade and Investments Development. Is organizing regular international business forums, missions and investor meetings. Appointed from the Government as the National Focal Point at United Nations Climate Technology Center and Network to facilitates the connection between countries and climate technology solutions, expediting development and technology transfers for low- carbon and climate-resilient initiatives. The CTCN paves the way for national strategies, regional market aggregation, and the mitigation of investment risks, both in the public and private sectors.
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Hayk Margarian
Executive Board, Chair of Trade & Investment Commission, ICC Armenia, National Focal Point, United Nations Climate Technology Center and Network
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Speaker Name
Armine G. Margaryan
Affiliation
President and Founder, Women and Global Security Architecture
Bio
Armine G. Margaryan is a military – political expert, the President and Founder of Yerevan-based “Women & Global Security Architecture” think tank (WGSA). She served as Advisor to the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia and later as Chief of Staff. She was an Expert of the Department of Arms Control and International Security and Desk Officer of the CIS Department in Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Armine graduated from the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. She holds a master’s degree in International Relations from Hrachia Acharian University (Armenia) and took non-degree programs from the Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP), George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, NATO school, Center for International Trade & Security of The University of Georgia, Clingendael Institute, etc. As a Military-Political Expert, Armine provides thematic interviews and consultancy, publishes articles, delivers lectures and conducts public diplomacy activities. She co-authored such research papers as “The Green Paper on the Reforms in the Armed Forces of Armenia” (2021), “Limitations of the Security System of the Republic of Armenia and the Possibilities of Overcoming Them” (2022) and “Small, Non-aligned State” (2023). Armine is a National consultant to the CoE’s Human Rights of members of the armed forces within the framework of the Project “Fostering Human Rights in the Armed Forces of Armenia”.
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Armine G. Margaryan
President and Founder, Women and Global Security Architecture
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Speaker Name
Sergey Markedonov
Affiliation
MGIMO-University, Senior Fellow
Bio
Sergey Markedonov is a Russian political scientist specializing in ethno-political processes, nationalism, and conflict in the post-Soviet space. Since 2014, Markedonov has been an expert with the Russian International Affairs Council and the A.M. Gorchakov Foundation. He conducts research on security issues in the South Caucasus, Ukraine, Moldova, and relations between Russia, the USA, NATO, and post-Soviet states. A member of the Russian Union of Journalists, Markedonov contributes as a columnist to MIA Rossiya Segodnya, RBC, and Eurasia Expert. He has authored over 50 scientific publications and numerous expert reports. From 1998 to 2001, Markedonov was a senior lecturer at Rostov State Pedagogical University and a speechwriter for the governor of the Rostov region. Moving to Moscow in 2001, he held a leadership role at the Institute of Political and Military Analysis until 2010, also teaching at Moscow State University and the Russian State University for the Humanities. Markedonov was a visiting researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, USA, from 2010 to 2013. He has also held visiting positions at institutions in Vienna, Shanghai, Berlin, and Mumbai. Markedonov graduated with honors from Rostov State University in 1995 and completed his graduate studies at Rostov State Pedagogical University in 1998. He holds a Candidate of Historical Sciences degree from the Institute of Russian History of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
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Sergey Markedonov
MGIMO-University, Senior Fellow
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Speaker Name
Harut Martirosyan
Affiliation
CTO, Intent.ai
Bio
Harut Martirosyan is the CTO of Intent.ai. Intent.ai is a privacy-respectful programmatic ad platform that offers highly precise targeting options, operating in the US, Armenia, Nigeria, and Tunisia. Before this, Harut Martirosyan worked at PicsArt (2016-2018). He has a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Informatics from the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.
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Harut Martirosyan
CTO, Intent.ai
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Speaker Name
Stefan Meister
Affiliation
Head of the Center for Order and Governance in Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia, German Council on Foreign Relations
Bio
Dr. Stefan Meister is Head of the Center for Order and Governance in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). From 2019 until 2021, he worked as director of the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s South Caucasus Office. From 2017 to 2019, Meister was head of the Robert Bosch Center for Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia at DGAP. Before that, he was a senior policy fellow in the Wider Europe Team at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) in Berlin and London. In the 2015/16 term, Meister was a visiting fellow at the Transatlantic Academy in Washington, DC, where he wrote on Russian disinformation and propaganda. Meister is co-editor of Comprehensive Security in the Black Sea region – (upcoming September 2024), Geopolitics and Security: A New Strategy for the South Caucasus (KAS/DGAP/GIP, 2018), The Russia File (Brookings, 2018), Eastern Voices (Center for Transatlantic Relations/DGAP, 2017), and The Eastern Question (Brookings, 2016).
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Stefan Meister
Head of the Center for Order and Governance in Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia, German Council on Foreign Relations

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