Tuesday, May 24 2022 11:27

ArmInfo. "By initiating The FUTURE ARMENIAN forum we launched wide-ranging public discussions," Artak Apitonian, Executive Director, The FUTURE ARMENIA told  reporters.

"Our steps will follow the discussions. We will do our best to  involve government agencies and NGOs both in Armenia and in the  Diaspora, which would combine efforts to develop our initiatives," he  said. 

In response to ArmInfo's question about financing - either by the  government or by the Armenian Diaspora - Mr Apitonian said that the  supporters will provide funds. 

"Each person will know their actions. Resources are available. And  when we have a goal set, it will be much easier for us to mobilize  resources to achieve it," he said. 

The Artsakh government is supporting the initiative. Mr Apitonian  hopes that Armenia will support the initiative as well. 

"We hope for support by the Armenian government. Cooperation between  government and private agencies, which has not made serious progress  in our country, can produce serious results," he said. 

The war has stripped Armenia of huge resources, and recovering them  requires combined efforts. 

"Time is against us, and resources are being depleted," Mr Apitonian. 

In his turn, Artak Beglaryan, State Secretary of the Republic of  Artsakh, welcomed the forum.  "Artsakh has always been of exceptional  importance for the Armenians, and demography is one of the most  significant guarantees of Artsakh's future," he said.  The FUTURE  ARMENIAN public initiative has been acting as a development  foundation since February 21, 2022.

The initiative was launched in April last year, and 109,000  signatories from 108 countries have already joined it.

The new Executive Director of The FUTURE ARMENIAN foundation is Artak  Apitonian. As the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic  of Armenia, he has coordinated Armenia's multilateral diplomacy from  2018 to 2021. He was the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to  Sweden and Finland from 2013 to 2018. During his nearly three decades  of a diplomatic career, he has held other responsible positions in  the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, the  Office of the President of the Republic of Armenia, and the  Diplomatic missions of Armenia in Geneva, Beirut, New York, and  Cairo.

As the Executive Director of The FUTURE ARMENIAN Development  Foundation, his efforts will be aimed at building a comprehensive  partnership around the foundation, expanding public involvement, and  advancing its goals.

In 2022, the foundation enters the next stage of development.  A wide  range of new partners will be formed and programs aimed at key areas  will be implemented thanks to the already developed 15 goals and  public support.

Soon, one of the most important initiatives of The FUTURE ARMENIAN  Development Foundation will be the creation of a Public platform,  which will be open to all compatriots in Armenia and the Diaspora.

People from different fields and professions representing the  communities of Armenia and the Diaspora will participate in the  development of 15 goal-based conceptual approaches, the formation of  priorities, and the selection of programs through constructive  discussions.