Category: News

Armenia’s Urban Development Committee hosted a delegation led by Khalil Shirgholami, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The committee’s Deputy Chairman Vahan Misakyan and adviser to the chairman Hovsep Hoveyan presented the main areas of the committee’s work.

According to the committee, the importance of deepening the existing cooperation between the two countries in urban development was emphasised.

Referring to the large volume of construction in Armenia, the ambassador stressed that Iranian companies were ready to contribute their experience in using equipment, materials and modern technologies to joint projects with Armenian companies.

During the meeting, the participants reaffirmed their willingness to carry out work in the areas outlined in the memorandum of understanding signed between Armenia’s Urban Development Committee and Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development.

 The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 4 November, USD exchange rate up by 0.05 drams to 360.12 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 2.33 drams to 405.03 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.0362 drams to 4.3947 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 2.48 drams to 485.41 drams.

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

Gold price down by 209 drams to 45579 drams.

Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Zhanna Andreasyan, attended the 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport in Monaco, held under the theme “Safer and healthier sport for all children”.

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport announced this in a statement.

Addressing the participants, the minister stressed that the true value of sport is measured not only by achievements, medals and records, but also by its ability to contribute to every child’s health, development, dignity and wellbeing.

“Sport is an important means of education, promoting healthy lifestyles, social inclusion and strengthening solidarity. These values can only be fully realised when every child has the opportunity to take part in sport in an environment where they feel safe, respected and protected,” the minister said.

Armenia’s Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan has granted a request from the competent authority of Tajikistan.

According to a statement issued by Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office, F.Z., a wanted person accused of particularly large-scale fraud, has been extradited to the competent authorities of Tajikistan.

The outcomes of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, COP17, have been reviewed in a report by the international specialist reporting team Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB).

The report examines the role of Armenia’s presidency and the agreements reached in Yerevan, as well as the challenges and next steps in biodiversity conservation.

The key points of Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s final report on COP17, according to the accompanying document, are:

1.Armenia’s presidency and its role in securing agreement on difficult issues. The report emphasises that informal discussions and the skilful leadership of COP17 President and Armenian Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan made it possible to reach agreement on several contentious issues. Decisions were adopted on 31 October following negotiations that continued through the night.

2. The first global review and the “Yerevan Pathway”. Collective progress in implementing the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was assessed. Priorities were set for accelerating action towards 2030: strengthening national commitments, expanding financing, improving monitoring and involving the whole of society.

3. The main concern: the gap between commitments and action. Despite growing political will and participation, the report finds that the targets will not be met by 2030 at the current pace. Reducing business impacts, sustainable consumption, capacity-building and technology transfer are lagging particularly far behind.

4. A compromise on biodiversity financing. Agreement was reached on the criteria for the financial mechanism and an approach to voluntarily broadening the range of contributing countries. The final structure of a permanent financial mechanism remains unresolved, with work set to continue until COP19.

5. Reforming incentives and subsidies harmful to nature. Particular attention was paid to Target 18: reducing harmful incentives by at least US$500 billion annually and expanding positive incentives. The report presents the “Friends of Target 18” initiative and the Yerevan Biodiversity Finance Challenge as initiatives that help turn pledges into practical action.

6. Progress on digital sequence information on genetic resources (DSI). A working group was established to further develop the multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism, including the Cali Fund. It was clarified that only monetary contributions matching the specified indicative rates — 1% of profits or 0.1% of revenue — qualify for a fund certificate.

7. Strengthening the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Rules of procedure were adopted for the subsidiary body on Article 8(j) of the Convention. Community representatives retained the ability to nominate candidates through their own procedures: one co-chair is nominated by the parties, and the other by representatives of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Some organisational matters were left for consideration at COP18.

8. Discussions on several issues will continue. Time constraints meant that some draft decisions were not adopted and were deferred to the next conference. These included issues concerning cooperation with other conventions and a global multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism under the Nagoya Protocol.

9. COP18 to be held in Ecuador. Ecuador was selected by secret ballot to host the next conference, which is scheduled to take place in Quito in the final quarter of 2028.

10. Special recognition for Armenia’s communications work. The report comments positively on the host country’s social media campaign built around the Yerevan blue butterfly, describing it as a powerful visual approach that highlights the vital role of even the smallest species in maintaining ecological balance.

Arusyak Manavazyan, head of the Civil Contract parliamentary group in Armenia’s National Assembly, the group’s secretary Volodya Hakobyan and MPs Eduard Aghajanyan, Tsovinar Vardanyan and Mariam Poghosyan met David Allen, US chargé d’affaires ad interim in Armenia, on 4 November.

Discussions focused on the agenda for developing Armenia–US relations, which has expanded significantly and reached a qualitatively new level in recent years. The participants also exchanged views on deepening interparliamentary cooperation and strengthening existing ties. Reciprocal visits and exchanges of experience were highlighted as important in this regard.

The meeting also addressed the United States’ role in ensuring stability and peace in the region. In this context, the participants welcomed the Armenian parliament’s ratification, a few days earlier, of the framework agreement on strategic cooperation concerning the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project. They emphasised the project’s key economic and geopolitical significance for regional peace and the reopening of infrastructure links, and discussed issues relating to its implementation.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Kam Ghaffarian, co-founder of the US companies IBX, X-energy and Quantum Space, who is the 2026 laureate of the Armenian State Award for Global Contribution to High Technologies.

According to the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office, Pashinyan congratulated Ghaffarian on receiving the award, noting that it reflected his outstanding achievements and significant contribution to transforming the space and energy sectors. Pashinyan expressed his appreciation for Ghaffarian’s contribution to the development of the global space industry and voiced hope for cooperation.

Ghaffarian thanked the prime minister for the recognition and highlighted the significant prospects for developing Armenia’s high-tech sector. He also expressed his readiness to work closely with Armenian partners to support the implementation of space projects and the development of capabilities in the sector.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has presented the Armenian State Award for Global Contribution to High Technologies to Kam Ghaffarian, an internationally recognised entrepreneur and visionary in space exploration and advanced technologies.

Pashinyan presented the award at the 17th Armenian State Award for Global Contribution to High Technologies ceremony, held at the presidential residence.

“With this award, we recognise not only technological achievements, but also the people whose ideas, courage and sustained work change humanity’s understanding of the limits of what is possible. Mr Ghaffarian, your journey is one of the finest examples of this. In 1969, when you were still a child, you watched the first human steps on the Moon. That event inspired you to pursue science and space technologies.

“In 2024, the Odysseus spacecraft, built by Intuitive Machines, the company you co-founded, landed on the Moon, becoming the first space system to reach it in 52 years. This is a very impressive story of how a childhood dream can become a scientific and technological achievement of global significance,” Pashinyan said in his address at the ceremony.

Speaking after receiving the award, Ghaffarian expressed regret that he had not visited Armenia sooner. He said he had grown very fond of Armenia and would certainly return.

“I have always made sure that my vision becomes a goal. My goal is to deepen humanity’s knowledge.

“I believe that humanity’s ultimate destination is other stars. If we do not destroy ourselves, perhaps one day we will reach those other stars. I think that, initially, there could be a city beyond space where people can live and work,” Ghaffarian said.

Kam Ghaffarian is a visionary entrepreneur in the space and energy sectors, who has been instrumental in founding companies aimed at the further development of human civilization. Driven by a mission to advance the human condition and the frontiers of knowledge, Kam Ghaffarian has, over the course of his more than 37-year professional career, founded several successful companies that are transforming the space and energy sectors. He has amassed extensive experience operating at the intersection of government contracting and technological innovation, playing a pivotal role in the evolution of these industries.

Kam Ghaffarian began his entrepreneurial journey in 1994 by founding Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, Inc. (SGT), a company that provides services to the public sector with a focus on information technology, engineering, scientific applications, and mission operations. SGT grew to become NASA’s second-largest engineering services contractor, providing support for the International Space Station (ISS) and astronaut training. With an annual revenue exceeding half a billion dollars, SGT was subsequently acquired by KBR. Previously, he held numerous technical and leadership positions at companies such as Lockheed Martin, Ford Aerospace, and Loral.

Dr. Kam Ghaffarian is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of X-energy. The company develops nuclear energy solutions for applications in both terrestrial energy and space propulsion systems. He is a co-founder and chairman of several companies, including: Intuitive Machines, LLC (NASDAQ: LUNR)-a leader in providing scientific and technological solutions under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program (since December 2012); Axiom Space, Inc.-a private space infrastructure company (since August 2016); Quantum Space, LLC-a space infrastructure company (since May 2021); and IBX, LLC-an innovation and investment company (since October 2018). Following the co-founding of Axiom Space, which aims to unlock the innovative potential of space through commercialization, he serves as the Executive Chairman of the company’s Board and acts as a key strategic advisor for the development of the space economy.

Kam Ghaffarian is also an active philanthropist and the founder of a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing scientific research and the possibilities for interstellar travel.

Dr. Ghaffarian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Engineering) from The Catholic University of America, a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Capitol College, a Master’s degree in Information Management Sciences from The George Washington University, a PhD in Management Information Systems from Kennedy-Western University, and PhD in Technology from Capitol Technology University.

The United Kingdom has introduced autonomous trade measures for goods of Armenian origin.

Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan announced this on her Facebook page.

The decision is in line with the Armenia–UK strategic partnership and aims to expand export opportunities for Armenian products and deepen bilateral economic cooperation.

Fresh fruit, dried fruit, raisins, herbs, spices and beverages, particularly beer, cognac and brandy, can be exported to the United Kingdom tariff-free.

A meeting with Eduardo Villegas Megías, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Mexican States to the Republic of Armenia, with residence in Moscow, was held at Yerevan State University (YSU) at the initiative of the university’s International Cooperation Office. The event featured the opening of the exhibition “Mexico: People, Spirit and Traditions” and the presentation of the Ambassador’s book “History of the Mexican People.”

YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan highly praised the efforts aimed at strengthening Armenian-Mexican cultural and academic ties. The Rector and the Ambassador expressed hope that cooperation would contribute to strengthening inter-university relations and expanding academic exchanges.

Exhibition dedicated to Mexico

The opening ceremony of the exhibition “Mexico: People, Spirit and Traditions” took place in the lobby of the Sargis and Mary Izmirlian Library at YSU.

More than 30 photographs taken from the air and on the ground by 16 women photographers showcased the colorful worldview, vibrant spirit and rich palette of Mexico. The photographs reflected the country’s rich heritage and contemporary society, shaped by a culture, traditions, beliefs and celebrations spanning thousands of years.

Andrea Lorelain served as the project’s artistic curator and international coordinator.

Book presentation

The exhibition opening was followed by the presentation of the Ambassador’s book “History of the Mexican People,” held in the YSU Academic Council Session Hall.

Reflecting on the formation of Mexico and key milestones in its historical development, the Ambassador spoke about the ancient civilizations that flourished in the territory of present-day Mexico, including the Maya and Aztecs.

He also presented the country’s cultural heritage, ranging from folk beliefs and customs to cuisine, music and architecture. The Ambassador highlighted the influence of Indigenous, European and African cultures in shaping Mexico’s cultural diversity.

At the conclusion of the meeting, YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan presented the Mexican Ambassador with a silver commemorative coin issued on the occasion of the university’s 100th anniversary, as a token of bilateral friendship, respect and fruitful cooperation.

The event was attended by representatives of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, Nikolay Kostandyan, Honorary Consul of the United Mexican States in Armenia, students of the Department of Romance Philology at YSU’s Faculty of European Languages and Communication, and other guests.