The 3^rd Pan-Armenian Forum of Architects continued on October 6. The forum is organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora with the support of the RA Ministry of Urban Development, the Pan-Armenian Association of Architects and Engineers and the Union of Architects of the Republic of Armenia and was launched as part of the events dedicated to the Armenian Genocide Centennial.

Addressing the participants of the forum, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan congratulated everyone on World Architecture Day and expressed gratitude for accepting the invitation. “The 3^rd Pan-Armenian Forum of Architects is being held in the year marking the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, and my first request is that you take more responsibility to accomplish the honorable mission of bearing our rich cultural heritage. Saving that tremendous heritage from perdition, classifying, ascertaining and recording it and stating our claims are also the task of Armenian architects. We need to record our cultural heritage and create a database. I also address my compatriots of the Diaspora to include the progressive experience of various countries in order to finalize the legislation on architecture. The right thing to do would be to create a task force that will be in charge of all that. I attach importance to the application of the latest technologies in architecture. Finally, I am certain that there will be effective and interesting discussions devoted to the speeches that will be made during the forum. The discussions may lead to the creation of programs that will indicate new paths for urban development. Let us try to turn those programs into national programs. One of the major results of our forum must be the creation of a professional network of architects based in different countries around the world. Only through the combination of our efforts will it be possible to achieve positive results.”

President of the Union of Architects of the Republic of Armenia Mkrtich Minasyan mentioned that architecture is a weapon and that it has served as evidence of the Armenian presence for centuries and has left its trace in different countries where Armenians have lived.

President of the Union of Builders, Rector of the National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia Gagik Galstyan attached importance to the forum and mentioned the following: “Our collaboration is contributing to the creation of national values that will remain forever. The consolidation of professionals having worked in different environments and having different working styles is of great value. I congratulate us all and wish us success.”

Co-chair of the Pan-Armenian Association of Architects and Engineers Kohar Tutunjjian welcomed the forum and all the delegations and mentioned that the forum was made possible through the combined efforts of 41 Armenian embassies established in 53 countries, pan-Armenian organizations, the RA Ministries of Diaspora and Urban Development, the Pan-Armenian Association of Architects and Engineers and the Union of Architects of the Republic of Armenia. “By working together, Diaspora Armenians can help create a unified database, as well as a pan-Armenian platform for preparing young experts, encouraging and disseminating Armenian architectural thought and the engagement of the potential of local experts.” Tutunjian wished everyone success and called on creating programs for further preservation of the Armenian identity through architecture.

Afterwards, the Pan-Armenian Association of Architects and Engineers, the Union of Architects of the Republic of Armenia, the Union of Builders of the Republic of Armenia and the National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia signed a quadrilateral Memorandum of Agreement.

The forum continues with plenary sessions.