10:25, 6 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s spouse Anna Hakobyan will participate in the Third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen: Mental Health: Resilience and Vulnerability of the Future in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Anna Hakobyan is among the scheduled to participate in the event founded by the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.

The First Ladies and Gentlemen’s Summit is an international platform that brings together the world’s first ladies and gentlemen to promote dialogue and find effective solutions to global humanitarian challenges through soft power, partnerships, public diplomacy, exchange of experience and implementation of joint initiatives.

First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, the UK Prime Minister’s spouse Akshata Murty, First Lady of Albania Armanda Begaj, the First Lady of Austria Doris Schmidauer, First Lady of Cyprus Philippa Karsera, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the Queen of Sweden Her Majesty Silvia Renate and others are among the .

 11:39, 6 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention has published a new report on the risk of genocide by Azerbaijan in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh).

In a statement, the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention said it has released an emergency draft of the report due to the dire circumstances of the blockade and Azerbaijan’s military buildup along the borders of Artsakh and Armenia.

“The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention hopes that this report will contribute to global resolve to protect the lives and the identity of the Armenians of Artsakh, prevent a Second Armenian Genocide, pressure Azerbaijan to accept self-determination for the people of Artsakh, and initiate a long-overdue process of transformative justice in the region that allows Armenians and Azeris to voice their historical grievances and find common ground around accountability, peace-building, and human security. The Report uses the United Nations’s Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes to outline and analyze (in detail) the risk factors and indicators for atrocity crimes, with a special focus on the crime of genocide. We have chosen to focus on the crime of genocide because the evidence in this report points to the existence of several serious red flags for genocide, typical genocidal patterns, and evidence of the special intent to commit that crime,” an excerpt from the executive summary of the report reads.

The institute said that the evidence presented in the report suggests that the crime of genocide may already be taking place in the form of the blockade.

“In fact, the evidence presented here suggests that the crime of genocide may already be taking place in the form of the blockade, which is both “Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group” and “[d]eliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part” (paragraphs II.b. and II.c. of the 1948 Genocide Convention). Azerbaijan’s crimes conform to Patterns 5 (Gross human rights violations + mass cultural destruction), 6 (Man-made famine/”Genocide by Attrition”), 7 (Environmental despoliation /”Ecocide” and land alienation), and 9 (Denial and/or prevention of identity) of the Lemkin Institute’s Ten Patterns of Genocide and seem to be headed towards patterns 1 (Gender-neutral mass murder characterized by gendered atrocity) and/or 2 (Mass murder of ‘battle-aged men’ + atrocities against women and children).”

“The deep imbrication of eliminationist anti-Armenian hate within the Aliyev regime and Azerbaijani institutions of government leads us to conclude that Azerbaijan is a genocidal state. This fact must be addressed before there can be any peace in the region,” it added.

The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention warned that “there is alarming evidence that President Aliyev may be planning a military assault on Artsakh in the very near future.”

“A military assault on Artsakh could lead to the mass murder stage of genocide. It would almost assuredly result in the forced displacement of Armenians from Artsakh and the widespread commission of genocidal atrocities, reflecting those committed in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War of 2020 and subsequent hostilities,” it said.

The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention recommends that members of the international community, including United Nations member states with influence over Azerbaijan, undertake the following actions to prevent the starvation and forced population displacement of Armenians in Artsakh as well as any possible future genocidal assaults on the Armenians of the Republic of Armenia:

1. Recognize publicly the threat of genocide against Armenians in the Republics of Artsakh and Armenia that is evidenced by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s statements as well as the actions of his regime.
2. Demand the immediate lifting of the blockade and the opening of the Lachin Corridor linking Artsakh both to Armenia and to the outside world, as stipulated in the Tripartite Ceasefire Statement of 9 November 2020 and ordered by the ICJ in February and July of 2023.
3. Organize an immediate humanitarian airlift to bring aid to the citizens of Artsakh while political deliberations continue.
4. Actively intervene to defend Artsakh against an armed attack by Azerbaijan in order to prevent a full-scale massacre against Armenians and the many other international crimes usually committed by the Aliyev regime against Armenians.
5. Empower and fund an independent investigative team to conduct a thorough documentation of the current situation in Artsakh, including an investigation of the atrocities committed by Azerbaijani military personnel in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War and afterwards.
6. Utilize all available diplomatic measures, including sanctions and the withdrawal of foreign aid, to challenge the impunity enjoyed by the Aliyev regime in Azerbaijan.
7. Pressure Azerbaijan to immediately cease its threats against the people of Artsakh and Armenia and institute a domestic National Mechanism to prevent the crime of genocide as a necessary condition for any foreign aid.
8. Encourage the reform of the Azerbaijani education and security sectors, which are deeply tainted by genocidal Armenophobia.
9. Support the Armenians of Artsakh with humanitarian and economic aid, particularly funding for destroyed infrastructure, institution-building and democracy-building projects, and increased security sector capacity.
10. Address the long-standing and underlying core issue of the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh as a basic principle under international law and in the recognition that, as facts on the ground prove, Armenians are unable to live under the Azerbaijani authority and power.
11. Recognize the decades-long efforts of the Artsakh people to establish a State according to the international requirements for statehood, which has resulted in the building of a government based on the division of powers and democratic representation.
12. Lay the groundwork for an eventual restorative and transformative justice process in the region to address past and current grievances and clear the path for a long-lasting peace.

 11:55, 6 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Using the Idram&IDBank application, you can already make payments at about 17․500 points of sale: these are shops, service points, including restaurants, hotels, beauty salons, medical centers, gas stations, entertainment venues and a number of other establishments, Idram Commercial Director Grigori Yolyan said in an interview.

Summer is coming to an end, but the travel period is not: as long as the weather permits, we try to enjoy outdoor recreation almost every weekend. Of course, when traveling around the marzes, we use shops, cafes or entertainment venues, and it is very nice to see that in a number of marzes it is already possible to pay with Idram. Could you indicate in which regions your team mainly develops QR payments?

You are absolutely right. Using the Idram&IDBank application, you can already make payments at about 17․500 points of sale: these are shops, service points, including restaurants, hotels, beauty salons, medical centers, gas stations, entertainment venues and a number of other establishments. I think our users will confirm that today it is already possible to use almost all the services available in Armenia, make the necessary purchases both in grocery and clothing stores, use restaurants and even leave electronic tips without having a penny in your pocket or wallet. First of all, this is the result of the possibility of payment in approximately 17․500 points of sale, and this is not only related to our work. We are also increasing the number of merchants with Idram payment option also thanks to the active support of our users, as they prompt both us and those merchants that do not yet have Idram payment option to provide this opportunity.

This circumstance makes us very happy, because it really means that Idram not only has the largest coverage in Armenia, but is also the most popular payment method. Basically, there are reasons for this:

convenience,

speed,

variety of financial instruments.

As for the extent of distribution in the marzes, it should be noted that Idram is already widespread in almost all marzes: the largest coverage is in Shirak, then in Lori, but we continue to work towards all marzes so that our citizens have even more diverse payment points according to Idram even in the most remote marzes.

In fact, you continue to develop non-cash payments in Armenia. Back in 2020, Idram came up with an interesting campaign – “No cash”. What was the purpose of the campaign and what do you think are the results of your efforts?

We launched the “No cash” campaign in 2020, but in fact, much earlier, we talked about the fact that cash is no longer modern if there is a payment method like Idram. Of course, saying “no cash” when you still have about 2,000 points of sale where you can pay for Idram, and saying when the number of these points is already about 17․500, you see, these are completely different things (smiles – ed.). Yes, we were sure that the future belongs to cashless and contactless payments, where QR payments play their irreplaceable role, and indeed, contactless payment is more convenient than cash and even cards. Our users remember well the catchphrases of our campaign, which, frankly, sound very good in Armenian and are difficult to translate into other languages, but I will still try to translate: “Cash is the dirt of hands”, “Are you ancient?” etc. It seems that these are just expressions, but at first our society fell in love with these labels, stickers, and then, yes, our campaign gave an impressive result. Proof of this is also the number of daily QR payments, which has increased by almost several dozen times compared to 2020.

And the action was more than relevant in 2020, when COVID-19 spread, and it was necessary to exclude contact with cash as much as possible, which in turn are the cause of the spread of microbes. Therefore, Idram not only began to actively increase the number of partners, but also expanded the tipping functionality at all possible food points of sale so that our citizens do not even have to touch cash to leave a tip.

As you mentioned, there are about 17.5 thousand partners who accept payments via Idram. This is a really impressive figure, and in this respect Idram is the undisputed leader. What are the benefits for partners?

Now there are about 17.5 thousand points, but their number is growing every day. Let’s start with the fact that Idram’s cooperation with any point of sale is mutually beneficial. Since Idram is the most popular financial app in Armenia, we have over a few hundred thousand active users and it is only natural that most of them prefer to make payments with Idram. If a few years ago the Idram sales department tried to attract new points of sale, now this process is two-way. That is, in many cases, retail points of sale themselves turn to us with a request to “install Idram”, and often the motive for this is the desire of buyers. In this regard, I also want to thank our customers and partners, who, like us, are guided by the idea of providing customers with the best experience and comfort. At the same time, from the point of view of points of sale, the possibility of paying by Idram is not only a tool for loyalty to its customers, but also aimed at increasing sales. As you know, in 2020, Idram and IDBank were the first in Armenia to introduce Rocket Line digital installment plan, which is a financial instrument that works on the principle of “Buy now, pay later” and is gaining wide popularity in the world. On the one hand, this frees our users from unnecessary trouble, because the Bank approves a certain limit for them in advance, and there is no need to submit documents and wait a long time for loan approval. On the other hand, it is a revolutionary tool for merchants, because paying with Rocket Line is technically no different from a regular payment with Idram, and the buyer takes only two or three additional steps and makes an instant purchase.

The Rocket Line digital installment itself is available at all 17․500 points where Idram payment is available. And if the point of sale chooses the Rocket Line 0% cooperation option, then this is an additional big incentive for sales, because buyers get the opportunity to buy goods at this very moment, paying exactly the same price and not a penny more, up to 12 months. Currently, the number of such points of sale is about 6,000.

 Glad to share another exciting news! For 2-3 months now, our users have been able to use the Rocket Line payment option for up to 36 months. To be more precise, for non-cash payments up to 30,000 AMD, the maximum period for Rocket Line is 12 months, for payments from 130,000 AMD to 500,000 AMD – 24 months, and for payments exceeding 500,000 AMD, the maximum period is 36 months. In this case, at the time of purchase, the buyer simply chooses the term that suits him and makes payments in the manner prescribed by the contract in the form of equal payments, which does not require any further action on the part of the point of sale or the buyer.

Since you talked about Rocket Line’s digital installment plan, let’s also touch on how easily this tool has been adopted by our society. Most users were probably not familiar with the Buy Now, Pay Later payment method. What image do you have today, to what extent is Rocket Line used?

As I already mentioned, IDBank and Idram were the first in Armenia to introduce the “Buy Now, Pay Later” format. Of course, at first this was perceived by our society rather hard, and for comparison, it must be said that in the next year Rocket Line contracts were signed 7 times more than in the first 6 months of the product launch. That is, from the moment our users accepted the product, or rather, got a clear idea of its benefits, we have experienced a sharp increase in the use of Rocket Line digital installment plan. Today, Rocket Line has become a daily tool for our users: many use it when they need to make an urgent purchase, but there are still a few days before payday, after which they repay it, paying interest for just these few days, or pay no interest at all with Rocket Line 0%, many choose to sell with Rocket Line 0% and then repay on their own schedule within up to 12 months. Everyone uses Rocket Line according to the needs of the moment, adapted to their lifestyle. It should be noted that since the launch of the product, about 2.2 million contracts have already been concluded, that is, over the past 3 years this tool has been useful to our clients as many times. This is a serious indicator that our users like the product. Of course, we continue to develop the Rocket Line, making it more convenient and profitable for our users.

You talked about customer loyalty and we can’t get around the Idplus loyalty platform. What are the features of the product of the strategic partner Idram and why did you decide to cooperate?

The Idplus loyalty platform has converted the bonus cards known to all of us into a digital field and gives bonus points at more than 1100 points where it is possible to pay by Idram. They are automatically accumulated on the digital bonus card of this point of sale. What does it mean? If you download the Idplus application, you will see that it combines a number of advantages. At the same time, no additional actions are required on the part of the buyer and the point of sale to issue a bonus. All operations are automated, both in the case of Idram and with all services provided by partners.

So, thanks to the Idplus platform, the client can:

Receive bonuses and cashbacks by making contactless QR payments with more than 1100 partners,

Sell accumulated bonuses at a discount at the auction, instantly receiving the proceeds from the sale to the Idram wallet, as well as buy bonuses at a discount from other users at the auction, moreover, the auction is held in the Dutch auction format, and the client can determine the amount of the discount when selling his bonus.

Give or receive digital gift cards at any time, without visiting the point of sale, regardless of location and without unnecessary paperwork,

Use gift cards or accumulated bonuses when shopping with partners in the same way as when buying with Idram,

Make combo payments by combining payment with a gift card, bonuses and Idram in the Idplus application,

Track accumulated bonus points and the entire history of transactions directly in the application.

For points of sale, Idplus serves as an additional loyalty platform. With Idplus, you can easily manage your own promotions and bonus system, all on one digital platform. Idplus Partner Points can:

 Implement our own mechanism for accrual and provision of bonuses and cashbacks,

Create digital gift cards,

Offer customers promotions on special terms, independently determining the day, time, coupon amount, specific type of product, etc. promotions.

Send your customers push notifications about promotions.

Evaluate the effectiveness of your own programs or loyalty campaigns using reports prepared on the platform.

In a word, Idplus is a universal loyalty platform that is equally useful and beneficial for both partner points of sale and their customers.

By the way, I would like to share some good news: on the Idplus platform, it is already possible to purchase and give away fuel cards, with which you can buy fuel on even more favorable terms, in particular, saving 2-4% of the cost of fuel. Buying a card and paying with it is a matter of seconds. The service is currently available at all RAN Oil points of sale, and we are sure that other partners will join us in the near future.

In fact, Idram currently offers its users many services on one platform, saving them time and providing a new, modern experience. What are the company’s goals for the near future?

I think both our users and partner organizations are confident that Idram is a growing and constantly evolving company that provides modern and convenient financial instruments.

Proof of this is the recently created Idram Junior app for children and teenagers up to 16 years old. This project shows that Idram is also taking responsibility for raising a financially literate generation. The app, of course, has limited features and allows teens to make payments up to 17․500 points, make transfers to family members and top up their phone balance. This functionality will be further expanded, and will also teach you how to save, manage your own funds, etc. Of course, it should be noted that our young users will perform all these actions exclusively under the supervision of their parents, because each Idram Junior is “attached” to the Idram&IDBank application parent.

To summarize, the ecosystem built with our strategic partners already allows us to assert that Idram is a set of convenient, fast and applicable payment instruments, a platform that solves a number of issues for its users and partners. We are working to expand this great ecosystem, develop functionalities and are open to any cooperation, as well as other players in the market, which I assure you will only work in a win-win format, because we love to say that Idram is for everyone.

 12:55, 6 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Foreign military attachés and representatives accredited in Armenia on Wednesday were briefed by the Armenian Ministry of Defense on the operational situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The briefing was held by Levon Ayvazyan, Director of the Defense Policy and International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Defense.

Ayvazyan said that the Armenian Armed Forces, within their duties, are taking all necessary measures to not allow a further escalation of the situation.

 13:16, 6 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Uruguay’s former ruling party Broad Front (FA) has condemned Azerbaijan for committing military aggression and genocide against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and the Republic of Armenia.

In a statement, Broad Front expressed solidarity with the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and urged the government of Uruguay to act toward a peaceful resolution.

“Broad Front condemns the military aggression and genocide based on the illegal territorial expansion carried out by force by Azerbaijan against Artsakh and the internationally recognized territory of the Republic of Armenia, in contravention of international law,” Broad Front said, endorsing former ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo’s report that the Azeri blockade of Lachin Corridor constitutes genocide, and the Declaration of the Senate of Uruguay of December 20, 2022 which called on Azerbaijan to comply with its international commitments and ensure free movement through the corridor.

Broad Front expressed solidarity with the people of Artsakh “in the face of the illegal blockade carried out by the State of Azerbaijan, which constitutes an act of flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.” It also reiterated its commitment to a peaceful solution to the conflict in line with international law and urged the government of Uruguay to act towards it, based on the foreign policy tradition of solidarity that Uruguay has had with the people of Armenia.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh, which is home to 120,000 Armenians, to Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022.

The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. The ICJ reaffirmed its order on 6 July 2023.

Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor.

Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of using the blockade to commit ethnic cleansing and genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh.

 14:40, 6 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. The EU strongly believes the Lachin corridor must be unblocked in line with past agreements and the ICJ order, the EU said in a statement Wednesday.

The statement was made by the Delegation of the European Union to the Council of Europe at the 1473rd meeting of the Committee of Ministers on 6 September 2023.

The EU said it remained fully committed to facilitating dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan and to supporting efforts to strengthen peace and security in the South Caucasus.

Below is the full statement.

“The European Union is following with great concern the continued restrictions on free movement along the Lachin corridor and the serious humanitarian and security consequences affecting the Karabakh Armenians.

“Movement through the Lachin corridor has been impaired for almost 9 months, and, since 15 June, the corridor has been almost completely blocked, with the exception of sporadic medical evacuations. As a result, medical supplies and essential goods are in critically short supply or have already run out, with dire consequences for the local population.

“The EU deplores that the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the region have been heavily hampered and calls for their full and swift resumption, including transport of humanitarian supplies.

“The EU reiterates its call made by the HRVP on 26 July to ensure freedom and security of movement along the Lachin corridor in both directions and to guarantee that the crisis does not escalate further, in line with the Trilateral Statement of November 2020, the European Court of Human Rights interim measures of December 2022 and the ICJ order of February 2023.

“The EU has taken note of the readiness voiced by the Azerbaijani authorities to supply goods via the city of Aghdam. The EU strongly believes the Lachin corridor must be unblocked, in line with past agreements and the ICJ Order.

“The EU has been closely following the growing tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia along their international border over the past months, with shooting incidents reported almost on a daily basis. We call on all sides to avoid further incidents and recommit to dialogue.  

“In order to observe and report on the situation on the ground the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) is conducting patrols along the Armenian side of the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The objective of the mission is to contribute to conflict resolution and to build trust and confidence between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“The EU reiterates its calls for restraint and dialogue among all parties involved. Continuous efforts are necessary to rebuild confidence between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in order to secure sustainable peace and stability in the region for the benefit of the local civilian population. Swift establishment of dialogue between Baku and representatives of Armenians living in the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast is crucial, in particular for solution of the humanitarian crisis in the area, but also concerning rights and security of Karabakh Armenians and other issues.

“The EU also notes that the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe stands ready to engage with all the relevant interlocutors to assist in overcoming the existing humanitarian challenges.

“The EU, and in particular the President of the European Council Charles Michel, has been heavily engaged to supporting the normalisation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“At the last trilateral meeting on 15 July 2023, hosted by President Michel with President Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Pashinyan of Armenia, the leaders of the two countries reiterated their strong commitment to the peace process. They notably reconfirmed their full respect for the other country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and their unequivocal commitment to the 1991 Almaty Declaration as a political framework for border delimitation. The ultimate delimitation of the border should be agreed through negotiations. Further substantial progress on delimitation is an important factor in reducing tensions, avoiding misunderstandings and incidents at the international border. 

“Violence, threats, harsh rhetoric and the spread of misinformation must cease in order to create an environment conducive to peace and normalisation talks. The recommitment to dialogue in good faith remains as urgent as ever. This requires genuine commitment by all sides to work towards negotiated outcomes. Humanitarian issues must be resolved and concrete steps need to be taken urgently to rebuild trust.

“The EU remains fully committed to facilitating dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan and to supporting efforts to strengthen peace and security in the South Caucasus, for the benefit of all people in the region. We should not lose the momentum built in recent months for settling the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is important to continue the negotiations.”

 15:45, 6 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani authorities have once again falsely claimed that the Lachin Corridor is not blocked and there is no starvation in Nagorno-Karabakh, just days after the Azerbaijani authorities themselves infamously staged a publicity stunt by offering to send aid there, a move that was rejected and described in Nagorno-Karabakh as a method to subjugate them and mislead the international community.

Armenia’s Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan reacted to Hajiyev’s claims, asking why Azerbaijan was sending that “mysterious humanitarian aid” to Aghdam if it claims that there’s no blockade.

“During an interview with Arab News, Aliyev’s assistant Hikmet Hajiyev said that the Lachin corridor is not blocked and there is no blockade in Nagorno Karabakh. By this, Azerbaijan wants to deceive the international community about the fact that the Lachin Corridor is illegally blocked, which has been confirmed by such renowned international organizations as Human Rights Watch, the UN Security Council and confirmed by the interim decisions of the UN International Court of Justice that the corridor is blocked and the people are starving. After all, if the Lachin Corridor is not blocked and there is no siege and hunger in Nagorno Karabakh, as Aliyev’s aide claims, then why did Azerbaijan send that mysterious humanitarian aid to Aghdam?” Marukyan said in a post on X.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh, which is home to 120,000 Armenians, to Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022.

The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. The ICJ reaffirmed its order on 6 July 2023.

Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor.

Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of using the blockade to commit ethnic cleansing and genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh.

 16:45, 6 September 2023

YEREVAN — The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) announce the upcoming COAF Fest: Arts, Crafts, and Music, which will take place on September 16 at the COAF SMART Center in Debet village, Lori region. The festival will bring together Armenian musical talents, skilled craftsmen, and local producers from the Lori region, with the aim of fostering economic growth in the area and further enhancing its attractiveness as a premier tourism destination. The COAF Fest is an integral component of the larger “Lori, Your Next Destination” project, a collaborative endeavor between COAF and GIZ, supported by the EU4Business ITTD project.

COAF’s Managing Director, Liana Ghaltaghchyan, emphasizes, “Our partnership with GIZ under the ‘Lori, Your Next Destination’ initiative has been instrumental in promoting the untapped tourism potential of the Lori region, all while bolstering sustainable development. Beyond our commitment to providing non-formal education, our initiatives in Lori now encompass cultivating a thriving ecosystem centered around the SMART Center. In this context, our festival presents an excellent opportunity to bring the entire community together at our SMART Campus, allowing them to enjoy a remarkable blend of arts, crafts, music, and the rich flavors of traditional Armenian cuisine.”

In addition to the festival, COAF will mark the grand opening of Concept by COAF on the same day—the largest social enterprise in Armenia. This establishment features a boutique hotel, an expansive conference center, and a modern restaurant. Concept by COAF is set to become a coveted destination for leisure, professional gatherings, and formal occasions, contributing significantly to the continuous expansion of COAF’s educational and social initiatives. The inauguration of Concept by COAF commemorates COAF’s two-decade journey and heralds a new era of transformative change, underscored by the launch of four new SMART Centers across the regions of Syunik, Shirak, and Armavir, as well as the steady progress of programs in Artsakh.

COAF Fest will serve as a platform for local businesses, enabling them to promote their products and expand their visibility. The festival will showcase more than 30 booths from various companies, offering a diverse array of products, including tea, agricultural goods, clothing and fabrics, skincare and cosmetics, handmade items, bags, and souvenirs. Furthermore, the festival will unveil Ardēan’s captivating art installations adorning the COAF SMART Campus in Lori. These 12 exquisite art pieces draw inspiration from the region’s ancient monasteries and cultural heritage. The festival will also feature live performances by renowned artists such as “Hayat Project,” “Lav Eli,” “Miqayel Voskanyan & Friends,” “Vahagn Hayrapetyan Trio,” “Bambir,” and DJ Alen Hertz. 

To encourage active participation in bringing about positive, lasting change, donation boxes featuring QR codes will be placed throughout the SMART Campus during the festival.

The “Lori, Your Next Destination” initiative, launched in 2021, has already achieved success through a series of impactful initiatives. These include the “STARMUS Day at SMART” Festival hosted in 2022, the development of an extensive network of hiking and biking trails, professional training programs aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of local tourism service providers, and the establishment of the Visitor Center, complete with a roadside café, designed to serve as a welcoming gateway for visitors to the region, promoting tourism.

About COAF

The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) aims at improving the quality of life in rural Armenia, with a particular focus on the projects and needs of children and youth. COAF’s target development areas are education, healthcare, as well as social and economic development. COAF launched its programs in 2004, starting in one village and expanding to more than 82 communities in Armenia and Artsakh with an investment of more than $70 million, impacting well over 100,000 people across rural Armenia. 

About the EU4Business “Innovative Tourism and Technology Development for Armenia (ITTD)’’ project

The EU4Business “Innovative Tourism and Technology Development for Armenia (ITTD)’’ project is ongoing in Armenia. It is co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by German Development Cooperation (GIZ). It has an overall objective to ensure shared and balanced inclusive growth in tourism and innovative industries. 

This will be achieved through innovative tourism ventures in the Northern regions of Armenia, support to high-tech and innovative entrepreneurs, international knowledge exchange for high-tech researchers as well as networks to enable entrepreneurship culture for students and the general population.

Within the framework of the project, more than 100 ventures have already been supported, assistance has been provided in sustaining and/or creating 400 jobs, and more than 800 people have undergone various trainings.