ZCMC Joins DDF26 as Industrial Transformation Partner

Jirair Kafian
Economy14:11, 30 March 2026
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The Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine (ZCMC) has joined the Fourth Doing Digital Forum (DDF) as the Industrial Transformation Partner.  Scheduled for April 8, DDF26 will be held under the theme “Bridging Platforms and Economies,” bringing together leading local and international experts, business executives, and public sector decision-makers.

“The digital economy is often seen through the lens of platforms and algorithms, yet its foundation lies deeper – in the industries supplying the materials that power modern technologies. At ZCMC, digitalization is a catalyst making industry smarter, safer and more sustainable”, said Vardan Jhanyan, First Deputy Director General of Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine.

The special guest of DDF26 is Leiming Chen, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Ant International. Keynote speakers include Matias Undurraga, Enterprise Technologist at Amazon Web Services (AWS); Dirk Ohlmeier, CEO of Just Better; Oleksandr Yablunivskyy, VP and Head of Products and Solutions at Visa CISSEE, Rafayel Mkrtchyan, Head of Corporate Finance at Freedom Broker Armenia, and among others.

Tatevik Simonyan, Founder of DDF, noted: “Modern digital economy is no longer shaped by isolated technological solutions, but through interconnected ecosystems and platforms. The Doing Digital Forum connects Armenia to the global technological agenda, positioning it as an important bridge for collaboration between the region and various world economies,”said  Tatevik Simonyan, Founder of DDF.

DDF26 will explore how digital technologies are reshaping financial systems, public infrastructure, and the real economy, with a focus on Open Finance, AI-native enterprises, digital identity, and global platform strategies. The agenda also covers regional financial infrastructure, the intersection of regulation and innovation, and how public-private collaboration can drive sustainable economic growth.

This year, the forum will once again bring together a wide representative lineup of speakers from Armenia and abroad, including sectoral regulators as well as executives and experts from leading financial, technological, and industrial companies.

The agenda will be packed with keynote speeches and dynamic panel discussions. Among the featured speakers, Sadyk Azimov, Vice Director for Digital Transformation at Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine, will share his expertise, presenting ZCMC’s perspectives on technological transformation.

Since its launch in 2023, DDF has brought together over 60 prominent speakers and more than 3,000 participants from Armenia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the UAE, Germany, Australia, and CIS countries.

The forum is organized by SPRING PR. The Innovation Partner for DDF26 is Visa, the Digital Identity Partner is imID, the Blockchain Partner is aeda, the Industrial Transformation Partner is Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine, and the Investment partner is Freedom Broker.

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Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 30-03-

Emil Karabekian
Economy17:10, 30 March 2026
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The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 30 March, USD exchange rate up by 0.36 drams to 377.54 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.37 drams to 433.76 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.0216 drams to 4.6501 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 2.24 drams to 499.41 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 630 drams to 54672 drams. 

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UN Human Rights Council adopts Armenia’s “Prevention of Genocide” resolution

Emil Lazarian
Armenia21:12, 30 March 2026
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The 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council has unanimously adopted the resolution “Prevention of Genocide” submitted by the Republic of Armenia, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The statement notes that the biennial resolution is based on the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and plays a significant role in translating the provisions of this important document into the operational framework of UN policy.

The resolution aims to promote the concept of early warning in genocide prevention and to define a framework of risk factors, including hatred, discrimination, and impunity. It also emphasizes the importance of a timely response, which can significantly help prevent the escalation of violence.

By bringing the issue of genocide prevention to the international agenda, the resolution once again highlights its importance among current diplomatic priorities. It contributes to strengthening international justice mechanisms and addresses global developments and challenges that require increased attention.

The resolution presented this year proposes strengthening the mandate for genocide prevention within the framework of the UN80 reform process. It also draws attention to the risks posed by algorithmic systems and artificial intelligence tools, which can contribute to the spread of disinformation and hatred, affecting information flows and undermining human rights.

The “Prevention of Genocide” resolution also makes an important contribution to promoting the universal ratification of the Genocide Convention, encouraging states that have not yet acceded to it to do so without delay.

As in previous years, the resolution submitted by Armenia enjoys broad support from UN Member States representing all regional groups, as evidenced by the large number of co-sponsors, which had reached around six dozen at the time of adoption.

The resolution reaffirms Armenia’s call on the international community to unite in preventing the crime of genocide.

A resolution of the same name, previously submitted by Armenia, was also unanimously adopted on April 3, 2024, during the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

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Armenia, Dutch FMs discuss strengthening strategic partnership

Ani Kharatian
Armenia21:41, 30 March 2026
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Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan held a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Tom Berendsen, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a readout.

Minister Mirzoyan congratulated his Dutch counterpart on assuming the position and wished him success, emphasizing Armenia’s commitment to consistently developing its partnership with the Netherlands.

The ministers discussed efforts aimed at enriching the strategic partnership agenda between Armenia and the Netherlands. They expressed satisfaction with the importance attached to cooperation with Armenia in the coalition agreement of the Dutch government.

The prospects for cooperation in various formats, including the deepening of the Armenia–EU partnership, were also discussed. The upcoming high-level visits and events, including the European Political Community Summit and the “Yerevan Dialogue” diplomatic forum, were addressed.

Mirzoyan and Berendsen also exchanged views on challenges on the path to democratic development.

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Armenpress: Lithuanian Seimas delegation visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial

Hovhannisian John
Armenia22:16, 30 March 2026
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A delegation led by Remigijus Motuzas, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex, the Armenian Parliament’s press service said in a statement.

The members of the delegation laid flowers at the Eternal Flame in memory of the innocent martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.

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Verelq: “Proposal to Armenia” unites different thinking, experience and knowledge

Baghdasarian Karlen

After months of work, the first meeting of the “Proposal to Armenia” coordinating council was held.

“Offer to Armenia” initiative is a cross-party platform that unites different thinking, experience and viewpoints. Here, every thought is important, every opinion is heard and valuable.

As a result of discussions, proposals and joint work, a program was formed, which was born from people and is aimed at ensuring their dignified life.

In the near future, the members of the team and the symbolic train will travel to all marzes of the republic, bringing the solutions formed with the participation of our compatriots to each community.


“Offer to Armenia” initiative


Video here

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Armenia needs a selfless leader. N. Karapetyan about the Prime Minister

Emil Lazarian
Photo: Alphanews

“Strong Armenia” party continues regional meetings with citizens. During the gathering held in Gavar, a member of the party’s council, Narek Karapetyan, stated that the state vitally needs a financially independent leader, whose only motivation will be the glory and well-being of the motherland, and presented Samvel Karapetyan as the candidate for the prime minister coming “on the path given by God”.


Addressing the audience, the politician responded to the criticisms directed at compatriots who have accumulated wealth outside the country’s borders. He suggested citizens to remember their relatives working abroad and to think whether living abroad makes a person less patriotic. In his deep conviction, living in the diaspora, on the contrary, intensifies the longing for the native home and strengthens the connection with the roots.


As a prime example, the speaker pointed to the founder of the party, Samvel Karapetyan, who created his capital in Russia and other countries. Narek Karapetyan emphasized that today Armenia is facing a serious crisis of leadership, which requires decisive changes, and it is their candidate who is ready to assume the responsibility of governing the country, guided solely by patriotic motives.


Reference: Samvel Karapetyan, a big businessman and the founder of the “Tashir” group of companies, began to actively form an independent political factor in Armenia against the background of the internal political crisis. His entry into big politics began with his public support for the Armenian Apostolic Church in the confrontation with the current authorities and the founding of the social movement “Our way”. At the beginning of 2026, the movement turned into the “Strong Armenia” party. Currently, although the billionaire is under house arrest as part of a criminal case, he has been officially nominated by his political force as a candidate for the country’s prime minister in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

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Vazgen Manukyan’s NDM will not take part in the elections for the sake of uniting the opposition

Christine Harutyunian
Photo: sputnik

The “National Democratic Union” (NDU) party led by Vazgen Manukyan made a statement, deciding not to run in the upcoming parliamentary elections. In order to avoid polluting votes, the political force also refuses to officially join any alliance, instead calling on its supporters to actively support ideologically close opposition forces and achieve a change of power.


The representatives of the party emphasize that the upcoming vote has a fatal significance and cannot be considered as another standard political process. The NDU expressed concern that some parts of the opposition are approaching the election campaign with the usual logic, while the situation requires extraordinary approaches to consolidation. Earlier, the union proposed the opposition to come up with two or three large associations and a unified strategy: Nikol Pashinyan in order to create a real balance to the government.


According to the assessment of the party leadership, the current government has completely exhausted itself. NDU warns that the latter’s political reproduction threatens the country with the loss of identity and deprives Armenia of the opportunity to build a safe, independent and prosperous state. Realizing that there are many political forces offering ways out of the deep crisis, the party expresses its readiness to support them without being included in the pre-election lists.


At the current stage, the main task of the political force is to ensure high voter turnout and prevent polling of votes. It is for this reason that NDM has decided to refuse to officially participate in the election campaign on its own or as part of any alliance. The party sees its mission in helping the opposition associations whose plans are aimed at the real development of the country.


Summarizing the statement, the NDM called on its comrades-in-arms and sympathizers to vote for the forces that share their decades-old values: the uncompromising defense of sovereignty, the strengthening of defense capabilities, the resolution of the Artsakh issue, and effective interaction with Armenian structures worldwide. Convinced that the victory of the opposition is quite possible, the party assured that it will continue the fight for its ideas, regardless of the final results of the elections.

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Russia saves Cuba. the oil arrived on the island in agreement with the US

Arsine Chaltikian


Photo: Juan Carlos Hernandez / Reuters

Moscow has sent a shipment of vital oil products to Havana to deal with an acute energy crisis. As the RBC agency reports, this unprecedented humanitarian mission was previously discussed with Washington, and today the Russian tanker has already successfully reached the shores of Cuba, bringing the necessary cargo to save the island’s economy.


Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov in a conversation with journalists, officially confirmed the arrival of a ship loaded with fuel, stressing that Russia considers it its duty to support Freedom Island in the conditions of a severe blockade. According to him, in order to ensure unhindered transit, Moscow has contacted its American partners in advance. The Kremlin notes that the supplied supplies are very necessary for the normal functioning of the country, first of all, for the production of electricity and the provision of urgent medical services.


Earlier, major Western periodicals, referring to their sources, reported that the US Coast Guard allowed the entry of the Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin. President of the USA Donald Trump also publicly stated that he is not against the humanitarian supplies of fuel to the island by other states, including the Russian Federation. According to the official data of the Ministry of Transport of Russia on March 30, the ship delivered one hundred thousand tons (about 730 thousand barrels) of vital oil to Cuba.


The acute shortage of resources in Cuba is a direct consequence of geopolitical upheavals in Latin America. President of Venezuela in early January of Nicolas Maduro after the arrest, the American administration sharply strengthened the sanctions pressure on Havana.


The termination of the traditional preferential supplies of Venezuelan oil, as well as Washington’s tough diplomatic pressure on Mexico, have brought Cuban infrastructure to the brink of collapse. Against this background, on March 17, the Russian authorities announced their readiness to help the state to the best of their ability.

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Attacks on Iran. UNESCO heritage and 131 monuments were damaged

Babken Chilingarian
Photo: armenpress.am

Large-scale US and Israeli military strikes in Iran have resulted in serious damage to more than a hundred historical and cultural heritage sites, including the world-famous Golestan Palace. The authorities of the Islamic Republic call on the international community to intervene immediately to save the unique monuments that are in danger of complete destruction.


As “Armenpress” agency reports, citing TASS, Iran’s Ministry of Culture has published updated data on the consequences of the attacks. According to the press service of the government, the number of damaged historical objects has increased from 114 to 131. The department emphasizes that monuments of world, national and regional significance were damaged. The Iranian side declares that this indicates the growing scale of the destruction and requires an urgent response from the world community for the sake of preserving the common cultural heritage of humanity.


Apart from the cultural sanctuaries, considerable damage was also done to the tourist infrastructures. In ten states of the country, 64 facilities were affected, including various hotels, travel agencies, household service complexes and public catering outlets.


Particular attention is paid to the condition of museum funds. It is reported that 50 museums have been damaged throughout the country. The biggest concern is the damage done to 14 buildings of the Saadabad palace complex and seven objects of the world-famous Golestan complex. Considered one of the oldest architectural ensembles of Tehran, Golestan, which has been the seat of the Ghajar dynasty since the end of the 18th century, represents a special historical value and has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2013.

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