Author: Jhanna Virabian

WCIT 2019 kicks off in Yerevan

Jhanna Virabian
Panorama, Armenia
Oct 7 2019

The grand opening of the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT 2019) took place at Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex in Yerevan on Monday, October 7, to run through October 9.

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan delivered opening remarks at WCIT 2019 alongside World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) Chair Yvonne Chiu and WCIT 2019 Organizing Committee President and Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE) Chair Alexander Yesayan.

This year, WCIT will address "The Power of Decentralization: Promise and Peril" and explore how information and communications technology is transforming our lives for better and for worse, and its impact on profits and prosperity, safety and security, democracy and humanity.

The conversation that begins at WCIT 2019 will continue beyond the close of the conference in an ongoing series of discussions called The Yerevan Talks.

WCIT 2019 is expected to attract more than 2,500 participants from more than 70 countries, including the leaders of the IT industry, CEOs, investors, distinguished speakers, policy makers, government officials, scientists and technologists.

The congress is hosted by Armenia with the support and under the high patronage of the country's government. WCIT was established by the World Information Technology and Services Alliance. Its main organizing body is the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises. 

Aurora Humanitarian Initiative Receives Pope Francis’ Blessing

Jhanna Virabian
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Representatives of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative met Pope Francis during a visit to the Vatican

A delegation from the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative on Wednesday received a special blessing from Pope Francis during their visit to the Vatican. The visit was part of a wider trip from the group to Rome, during which a series of meetings with Vatican and community leaders was held.

The trip to the Vatican was attended by Noubar Afeyan and Ruben Vardanyan, the Co-Founders of the Aurora Forum and noted social entrepreneurs, as well as by the three previous Laureates of the annual Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity: Tom Catena, Marguerite Barankitse and Kyaw Hla Aung. In addition, the group also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State to the Holy See.

During their conversation with Pope Francis, the group sought his blessing for the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative as it continues its global efforts in combating poverty, improving healthcare, and providing education to vulnerable communities. Likewise, the group also highlighted the Initiative’s newly launched fund-raising drive, the #AraratChallenge, which aims to inspire others to join the Aurora mission by sharing stories of personal gratitude, making donations, and getting involved with humanitarian causes.

Commenting on the meeting with Pope Francis, Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and the Aurora Forum, said: “We are honored to have received a special blessing from His Holiness earlier this morning. Driven by our commitment to spreading our message of Gratitude in Action and to maximizing its impact, it is important that we build closer relationships with religious, governmental, private sector and cultural leaders from across the world. Today’s meetings at the Vatican have allowed us to highlight the vital work being done globally by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, and the need for greater collaboration as we expand these efforts in the long-term.”

Remarking on the audience with Pope Francis, Ruben Vardanyan, Co-Founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and the Aurora Forum, said: “Today’s meetings with His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Cardinal Parolin were an opportune time to take stock and reflect on the impact the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative has had globally since its founding. However, our work has only just begun. We look forward to discussing new challenges and opportunities that humanity faces at the inaugural Aurora Forum later this month in Yerevan.”

Founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is a globally-focused organization, which seeks to empower modern-day saviors to offer life and hope to those in urgent need of basic humanitarian aid anywhere in the world and thus continue the cycle of giving internationally.

Also speaking on the meeting, Tom Catena, Chair of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and the 2017 Laureate of the annual Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, added: “Since joining the Aurora community in 2017, it’s been a privilege to see first-hand the incredible work being done by our organization all around the world. As a Catholic Missionary, it was an honor to meet His Holiness Pope Francis during this visit. I’m incredibly excited for the Aurora Forum later this month, during which we’ll be sharing ideas on such work with leaders in various industries from all across the world. It is by collaborating with thought leaders and experts, as well as the contributions and support of grass-roots individuals and organizations, that we can continue our work in the long-term.”

In less than two weeks’ time, the inaugural Aurora Forum will take place in Yerevan, Armenia from October 14 to 21. The Forum will bring together the world’s leading authorities and thought leaders on social, scientific-technological, educational, and humanitarian innovation. Through the Forum, this network of remarkable individuals aims to drive practical action and change relating to some of the world’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.

The week-long series of activities will provide an opportunity for thought leaders to compare best practices, lessons learned and, in some cases, disruptive thinking around issues ranging from infrastructure challenges to healthcare breakthroughs to women’s empowerment. The October 2019 Aurora Forum events will be held across Armenia with major events in cities from north to south.

AI To Generate Music At WCIT-2019 Opening In Armenia

Jhanna Virabian
Eurasia Review
Oct 1 2019
AI To Generate Music At WCIT-2019 Opening In Armenia

October 1, 2019

By PanARMENIAN

 

On the evening of October 6, Yerevan’s iconic Republic Square will set the scene for WCIT 2019’s opening ceremony. Spectators will be treated to an unprecedented concert blending human and computer talent like never before.

The orchestra was created to perform for the first time at the WCIT 2019 opening ceremony. Grammy award winning DJ Armin Van Buuren will perform. The orchestra musicians are already arriving in Armenia (video). The main rehearsal for the performance will be on October 5.

The WCIT Orchestra, composed of musicians from 15 countries, which have hosted the forum in the past 40 years will perform on stage the music composed by AI in real time. The orchestra will have 100 musicians, including 30 from Armenia. The participating host nations include Canada, the Netherlands, Malaysia, the United States, Greece, Taipei, Spain, Japan, France, Denmark, Mexico, Brazil, Australia and India.

The concert will be performed under the baton of Maestro Sergey Smbatyan, the Artistic Director, and Principal Conductor of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra. The Orchestra will be accompanied by an AI software whose programmed to incorporate the musical DNA of all 15 countries, including uniquely Armenian compositions. Renowned Armenian composer Aram Khachaturyan’s most acclaimed composition, The Sabre Dance, will be brought into the digital age, with awe-inspiring 3D mapping projected onto Republic Square.

“Initially, we have intended to make the IT World Congress in Yerevan an unforgettable and remarkable event: this is one of the surprises we have prepared for the international community to show the Armenian innovative thought. As it is known, the music will be composed by artificial intelligence, which we call artificial talent. We prove that the center of the world is where there is talent and innovation, in this particular case in Yerevan’s heart, in the Republic Square,” said the president of the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE), Alexander Yesayan.

“It is considered that technologies distance people. With the creation of the WCIT global orchestra we break that stereotype: the orchestra unites musicians from different countries providing a new platform for communication. Both music and technologies contribute to this union as a means of communication. As a rule, world orchestras are formed around an idea.

 

By the creation of the WCIT orchestra the IT world highlights the power of art and music. Thus, the IT world promotes the development of classical music,” said Artistic Director, and Principal Conductor of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra Sergey Smbatyan.

The ceremony will conclude with the hypnotic sound of world-class musical innovator Armin Van Buuren. His show will be accompanied by psychedelic visual effects. Armin Van Buuren is a Grammy-winning DJ and record producer, whose unique mixes are credited with erupting trance music into a global sensation. Van Buuren’s heavy schedule includes headlining at over 150 concerts per year. He also leads some of the world’s biggest festivals, including Electric Daisy Carnival, Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland.

Indicted Mayor of Ijevan resigns

Jhanna Virabian

Indicted Mayor of Ijevan resigns

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 13:12, 6 September, 2019

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. Mayor of Ijevan Vardan Ghalumyan has resigned, Governor of Tavush – the province encompassing the town – Hayk Chobanyan told ARMENPRESS.

Chobanyan said the mayor tendered his resignation without mentioning a reason.

Ghalumyan is indicted since August 29 on charges of official misconduct.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team arrives in Armenia

Jhanna Virabian

Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team arrives in Armenia

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 16:13, 7 September, 2019

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team has arrived in Yerevan to play against Armenia national team in the sidelines of the Euro-2020 qualifying round, ARMENPRESS was informed from the official website of the Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Armenia-Bosnia and Herzegovina match will kick off at 17:00, September 8.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan




AmCham: Amulsar Project delays can make Armenia unattractive country for investments

Jhanna Virabian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 2 2019
AmCham: Amulsar Project delays can make Armenia unattractive country for investments AmCham: Amulsar Project delays can make Armenia unattractive country for investments

17:32, 02.09.2019
                  

The delays in the Amulsar Project can make Armenia an unattractive country for investments. This is noted in a statement which the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia has addressed to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

“Honorable Mr. Prime Minister,” the statement reads. “We are writing you on behalf of the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia (AmCham) regarding the long-lasting issue around one of our member companies Lydian Armenia CJSC Amulsar project.

“AmCham is a leading business association founded in Armenia in 2000, and currently represents the interests of more than 140 small, medium and large companies operating in almost all sectors of the Armenian economy. Our mission is to promote the local and foreign investments in Armenia and to advocate for fostering a more favorable business climate, as we believe that fair and equitable treatment of investments are of outmost importance not only for local Armenian and foreign companies, we represent, but also for the economy and well-being of Armenia. This genuine belief has prompted AmCham to release 2 statements during the last 13 months regarding the Lydian Armenia Amulsar project.

“AmCham truly recognizes the importance of professional and impartial audits in the mining sector, still, regrets that Lydian’s Amulsar project has been the only project so far that was pressured to undergo 3 consecutive audits while the roads to the project remain illegally blocked for over a year now. This is despite the fact that Lydian’s Amulsar project has been deemed compliant to IFC and EBRD international highest standards on the environmental and social management.

“We regret that even after the 3rd audit, and after your recognition of the high standards Lydian adheres to, Lydian’s access to its Amulsar project has not been restored, and a possible need for yet another study on the Environmental Impact Assessment is being discussed. While we share the environmental concerns of the society and strongly believe that businesses should comply with sustainable development standards, we also believe that fair and equal treatment of businesses should exclude a selective approach and all the requirements imposed by the State should be evenly and fairly applicable to all the industry players. This is especially important amidst your public statement that the campaign against Lydian was organized and financed by certain business interests of certain parties. This is a matter of outmost concern and we hope that these claims will be duly investigated.

“Honorable Mr. Prime Minister, AmCham is not only concerned about the unfair treatment of its member, one of the biggest investors in Armenia, but as a leading business organization, we are also concerned about the negative impact of the issue around Amulsar project for about a year. It sends negative signals to the potential investors and makes Armenia an unattractive country for investments. While the State is making efforts to attract investments to Armenia, potential investors are, at the same time, alerted that foreign investing companies in Armenia are not protected and treated fairly.

“We are convinced that further delays around Lydian Armenia’s Amulsar project will deepen the issue and can go endlessly having further negative consequences for the business climate and, eventually, ruin the attractiveness of the country for investments. Therefore, we urge the Government of Armenia to act upon for a quick and fair resolution of the issue.

“We share the Governments vision that Armenia should thrive and have a developing economy, where the principle of the rule of law will apply to all the investors doing business for the benefit of Armenia and provide equal and fair opportunities to all the businesses.”

Chiefs of several Armenia police departments relieved from posts

Jhanna Virabian
News.am, Armenia
Aug 22 2019
Chiefs of several Armenia police departments relieved from posts Chiefs of several Armenia police departments relieved from posts

12:41, 22.08.2019
                  

Armenia Police chief, Major-General Valery Osipyan signed Thursday several orders, shamshyan.com reported.

According to Osipyan's order, Avet Hovhannisyan, head of the Chambarak police department, was relieved of his post.

Narek Simonyan was relieved of the post of Deputy Chief of the Sevan Police department and was appointed Chief of the Chambarak police department.

According to another order, Surik Janikyan was dismissed from his post as the head of the Sevan police department and Samvel Khmelyan was appointed the head of the Sevan police department.

Ara Kocharyan dismissed from the post the head of the Gavar Police Department.



Armenian law enforcement agencies have enough leverage to effectively monitor development of mines

Jhanna Virabian
ARKA, Armenia
Aug 26 2019

YEREVAN, August 26. /ARKA/. Armenian law enforcement agencies have enough leverage to effectively monitor the development of all mines in the country, Yura Ivanyan, head of an Investigative Committee's department in charge of investigating corruption, property and cyber crimes, told a news conference today called to provide additional information on the controversial Amulsar gold project. Ivanyan said the responsibility for safe development of a mine is always with the developing company.

'Our legislation has enough leverage to control the natural operation of the mine," he said. Ivanyan said  if a company violates the law, law enforcement agencies have the right to suspend the development of the mine and revoke the company's license.

Asked why the government chose a Lebanese Earth link & Advanced Resources Development (ELARD) company to conduct the environmental impact assessment of the Amulsar gold mine Ivanyan said the approach to choosing a company was very strict. Given the unprecedented importance of the issue, the tender committee decided to give preference to an organization that would not have a conflict of interest, and which had not been engaged in any activities in Armenia before. He said the audit was conducted by ELARD together with American company TRC.

He said the experts were provided with all necessary documents and studies, conducted earlier by government agencies and scientific organizations, which were quickly translated to English.

The development of the Amulsar project was halted in 2018  June after environmental groups and local residents set up illegal blockades preventing access to the mine.  They argue that the project would pollute the Jermuk mineral water springs  and Armenia's largest Lake Sevan. Police have failed to remove the protestors.

In July 2018, bowing to the pressure of Lydian Armenia and environmental activists Armenia’s Investigative Committee launched an inquiry to examine claims of willful concealment of environmental pollution data regarding the mine. The Lebanese consulting firm ELARD was contracted as part of this investigation to review the results of the previous two environmental assessment studies on the mining site.

On August 15 the Toronto-based Lydian International Limited announced that the Special Investigative Committee of Armenia (ICA) released the ELARD report on the environmental audit.

In a statement, Lydian quoted Hayk Grigoryan, the head of ICA, as saying that the investigative body had analyzed the information and findings provided by the international audit report and found there were no grounds for criminal prosecution and continuation of criminal proceedings against the company.

The audit focused on the “wilful concealing of information about pollution of the environment by officials related to the exploitation of the Amulsar gold mine” and was started in March this year.

Lydian Armenia was founded in 2005, and all 100% shares in it are owned by Lydian International. The Amulsar mine program is the first project of the company in Armenia.  The Amulsar gold deposit is the second largest deposit in Armenia in terms of gold reserves and is said to contain about 31 million tons of ore and 40 tons of pure gold.

Armenian local environmentalists and residents of nearby villagers have been protesting against the development of the mine for years, claiming that the mining activities would endanger the region’s water resources and the local population’s health. . –0-


Inecobank: Summarizing 2019 Sevan StartUp Summit

Jhanna Virabian

Inecobank: Summarizing 2019 Sevan StartUp Summit

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16:17,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 12, ARMENPRESS. One of the most anticipated technology events of the region – Sevan StartUp Summit 2019 – has come to its end. More than 120 startups from about 45 countries around the world came together to present their ideas, developed and excel their projects, meet with industry leading experts. And the best ideas competed in “Big Battle” competition to receive awards from Inecobank. As the General Sponsor of Summit, Inecobank awarded financial rewards to Thermoscan, CowNet, and XpressBookstartups. 

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 “Summit is a unique platform, which enables to meet initiative individuals who have wonderful ideas. Within these few days, we got to know different startups, heard about innovative and out-of-box solutions, and had the opportunity to share our own experiences with them”: said Aren Naltakyan, Development and Marketing Director. “For the past 23 years, Inecobank has always believed that the right application of the latest and most innovative technologies in any business, particularly in the financial and banking sector, is a guarantee to the development and efficiency” 

Highlighting the day-to-day role and developments of the technology sector, Inecobank sponsored Sevan StartUp Summit 2019, with an to support establishment and development of innovative ideas.

“During the 4 years of the Summit, it has become one of the most beloved and anticipated events in the industry. The Summit organizer, Startup Armenia Foundation, spares no effort to improve the even more and more each year, and provide even greater opportunities to the participants. During the Summit, we met many interesting and knowledgeable young people, shared our own experience and skills. Summit is a great platform for sharing new ideas and making establishing acquaintances,” said Inecobank'sChief Financial Officer Hayk Voskanyan.

Being one of the leading fintech companies, Inecobank will continue to support the establishment and development of the technology sector in Armenia, contributing to the sustainable growth of the economy.

—-

ABOUT INECOBANK CJSC

Inecobank CJSC is one of the leading banks in the South Caucasus region, focused on individual customers, small and middle market businesses and large corporations offering a full range of commercial banking services including break through and innovative digital banking solutions. For over 22 years the bank has been providing unmatched convenience in Armenia serving more than 500 000 customers and over 200 000 online users.  

Inecobank developed and delivered industry-leading digital banking solutions with the purpose of introducing an entirely new culture of banking services.

  • In 2009 the Bank digitalized and fully automated the “Point of Sale Loan” product, reducing the loan generation time from 3-4 days to a few minutes.
  • In 2012, with the introduction of InecoOnline, the Bank was one of the first to provide 24/7 banking services to its customers.
  • In 2014 the Bank launched InecoMobile, its Mobile banking application, which is the most popular banking application in Armenia with over 100,000 users.
  • In 2017, the Bank was the first to introduce a fully automated consumer lending solution through its mobile and online applications, which generates consumer loans 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • In 2018, the Bank was the first banking institution in Armenia to introduce InecoPay, the cashless payments new system. 
  • The first fully digital Bank in Armenia, which provides complete digital solutions to individuals, such as payments, lending, savings and other 24/7 services.

Current absence of cross-border gunfire is result of tactical communication line – Armenian military

Jhanna Virabian

Current absence of cross-border gunfire is result of tactical communication line – Armenian military

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14:17, 3 August, 2019

YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS. According to the Armenian military, the quantity of gunfire attacks by Azerbaijani forces at the border have abruptly dropped in the past two days, moreover in certain individual areas no shootings took place at all.

Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces Lt. General Artak Davtyan told reporters that incidents however periodically do occur at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Asked what kind of reaction the Armenian military is giving to these incidents, Davtyan said “No less than adequate”.

Reporters asked the general to comment on the fact that previously incidents were taking place only at the Artsakh-Azerbaijan Line of Contact, whereas now shootings happen at the Armenia border as well. “This kind of incidents periodically happen at the Armenia-Azerbaijan section, however they weren’t resulting in deaths and victims, that is why a reaction as such wasn’t taking place. Unfortunately we had a death and one wounded, that is why the reaction happened from the broad public,” he said.

He said that each side at the Line of Contact has “its own goals and missions”.

“We’ve regularly had tension at the Tavush and Gegharkunik provinces sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, in the Nakhijevan direction, we have 1-2 cases of tension growth monthly, after which we have decrease or halt of gunfire. We must understand that the Line of Contact is an organism or a mechanism, which is constantly functioning, it’s not like everything is calm and that everything is turning out smoothly as we want to. These are bilateral processes, each party has its own goals and missions and wants to strengthen their positions by not allowing the adversary to strengthen theirs,” Davtyan said.

Asked whether or not the so called “operative communication – an emergency tactical line created between Armenia and Azerbaijan – was used, Davtyan said it was.  “The tactical communication is used based on necessity, in each case where growth of tension happens, of course we get in contact, as of this specific moment the absence of gunfire is a result of the tactical communication,” he added.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan