Armenia Fund USA, Inc.
152 Madison Ave, S-803
New York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
T/1-212-689-5307
F/1-212-689-5317
http://ww w.armemeniafundusa.org
All-Armenian Fund International Affiliates’ Annual Meeting Convenes
~15th meeting of the Board of Trustees assesses the progress of the
organization and sets priorities for the future development of Armenia and
Karabakh~
NEW YORK, New York – Leadership from Armenia Fund USA traveled to Yerevan,
Armenia for All-Armenian Fund International Affiliates’ annual meeting which
convened on May 5, 2006. The conference brought together the leadership of
all 18 affiliates from all over the world to review progress of the
organization since the last annual meeting and set priorities for
development. Chaired by the President of the Republic of Armenia His
Excellency Robert Kocharian, the meeting took place at the Government
Reception House in Yerevan creating a momentum for sharing a common mission
among all affiliates – the task of ensuring the well-being of Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh through large-scale infrastructure and socio-economic
development and sustainability. Apart from assessing the benchmarks of
success, the meeting also approved the 2005 report of the Executive Board,
discussed agenda items important for ensuring the successful implementation
and continuity of current projects, took decisions on the 2006 beneficiary
program, as well as elected new members to the International Board of
Trustees.
Before starting the session, led by the prayers of His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of All-Armenians, the Board Members and the leadership of the
Fund paid tribute with a moment of silence to the victims of Armavia Flight
967 that just days earlier had claimed the lives of more than ten dozen
people. The Republic had announced a two-day national mourning after the
terrible catastrophe.
The approval of the 2005 annual report of the Executive Board, prepared by
an independent French-American accounting firm, addressed the financial
standing of the organization, and presented the Fiscal Year 2005 financial
audit of All-Armenian Fund on the one hand, and of the construction
procedures of projects on the other. The report summarized funds received
and expenses incurred for the fiscal year concluding that the financial
standing of the organization “is clearly in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards”, which, most significantly, gave account of
the transparency and maintenance of internal procurement standards.
An important agenda item under discussion during the annual meeting was the
“Rebirth of Artsakh” Regional Development Program for Nagorno-Karabakh -a
three year, three region comprehensive development plan approved last year
to provide socio-economic assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh. The participants
confirmed the continuity of the program and provided information on
preparatory works done to this date. The participants also took decisions on
directing Telethon 2006 to the implementation of the “Rebirth of Artsakh”
program. Funds raised through the fundraising telethon will be directed to
the rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of the Hadrout and
Mardakert regions in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The meeting also touched upon the rural poverty eradication program
introduced during the meeting by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic
of Armenia Mr. Vartan Oskanian, a Trustee of the Fund. Hayastan All-Armenian
Fund was tasked with the coordination of the Rural Development Scheme for
159 border villages in Armenia. The program is an integrated approach toward
poverty reduction in the rural villages of Armenia, particularly those
located close to the border. It is a broad effort to provide the necessary
development support in the form of technical and infrastructure intervention
to ensure the economic sustainability of rural communities. Apart from
overall socio-economic development impact, the program is expected to
leverage effects of rural poverty on migration, geopolitical security and
regional stability. A commission was set up to study the program and the
timing in detail, put forth suggestions on jointly implementation of the
program with other projects of the Fund and integrate efforts toward
regional development.
A meeting of all affiliates of Hayastan Himnadram took place on May the 4th
at the campus of the American University of Armenia to exchange views and
discuss common operational challenges. During the meeting representatives
from respective affiliates introduced progress reports and project
coordination details. Armenia Fund USA, led by Chairman of the Board of
Directors Mr. Kevork Toroyan and Executive Director Ms. Irina Lazarian,
introduced details on the implementation of the Agricultural Initiative for
Mardakert region of Nagorno-Karabakh and parameters of cooperation with
local authorities to ensure maximum efficacy of the program. The Initiative
is the economic underpinning of the “Rebirth of Artsakh” Regional
Development Program launched by affiliates in spring of 2006, and is a
strategic plan to increase rural household income by boosting region’s
agricultural economy.
Armenia Fund USA representatives concluded the trip with visits to
project sites, as well as meetings with Karabakh farmers to listen to their
concerns and input about the new program.
The annual meeting elected three new members to the International Board of
Trustees, among them Mark Geragos, U.S. based attorney who has been very
supportive of the Fund’s overall efforts in the United States, Hasmik
Terterian of Armenian Relief Society and Mike Kharapian of Ramkavar
Liberal-Democratic Party.
ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was one of the
first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 18 international affiliates and serves
constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit,
non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all
Armenian constituents.
Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 18 international
affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and
Karabakh, and having helped build 138 miles of roads, 100 miles of
waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential
buildings and 15 healthcare institutions.
Armenia Fund USA’s Mission is the development of strategic socio-economic
infrastructure in Armenia and Karabakh, focusing on major projects such as
major highways, schools, drinking water to communities and humanitarian
programs in education, training and medical facilities. The Fund has adopted
a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for
projects it sponsors.