August 06, 2025

AGBU FOCUS 2025 Yerevan Reinforces the Value of Diaspora-Homeland Unity

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FOCUS attendees making memories at Gala night.

From July 16-20, AGBU FOCUS 2025 marked a milestone moment with Armenia hosting the global summit for the first time. The five-day event drew 600 young professionals from 28 countries far and wide—from Argentina, Brazil, Canada and China to Egypt, France, Georgia, Germany, Japan, Lebanon, Spain, and the United States, to name but a few of the diverse communities represented.

FOCUS is driven by an overarching goal to unite young Armenian professionals through their own shared interests and perspectives. In the words of Christina Lalama-Nappi, the global manager of AGBU Young Professionals (YP): “The FOCUS concept stands apart because it is designed for young professionals and organized and implemented by them. Since its launch in 2001, a local Young Professionals (YP) group gets to take the lead on a global scale, with the guidance of the AGBU Central Office. It is a remarkable opportunity to build confidence and organizational skills, while curating an agenda that projects their own sensibilities, concerns and aspirations into the world.”

As a result, each FOCUS summit has helped strengthen the global YP network overall. The growing numbers of attendees convene to celebrate Armenian cultural heritage and identity and find common purpose through cause-related global fundraising campaigns. This year, over $180,000 USD was raised in support of the AGBU Scholarship Program. At the same time, FOCUS 2025 sponsors were instrumental in making the multi-dimensional event possible. They include Lead Benefactors William and Caroline Nazarian, Nicholas Nazarian, Armenia-based companies like Freedom Broker Armenia, Zulal Wines, and PicsArt, tech-based companies like JoBlo and One Pillow, other entities in the private and public sector, plus well-wishers from across the YP network.

Many attendees—some visiting Armenia for the first time—immersed themselves in the Yerevan scene to discover AGBU Armenia’s signature initiatives, connect with program beneficiaries, take part in community service and explore the cultural landscape, as well as exchange perspectives on Armenia-Diaspora relations after 34 years of Armenian independence.

A Warm Welcome

Day one kicked off with a reception in the courtyard of AGBU Armenia, where participants were greeted by AGBU Armenia leadership: President Vasken Yacoubian; Executive Director Marina Mkhitaryan; and YP Yerevan Chair Haykaz Nahapetyan. Staff from the AGBU Armenia office, along with the volunteer organizing committee and visiting staffers from the New York Central Office put the power of collaboration and cooperation into action with remarkable results.

Yacoubian captured the spirit of the gathering by welcoming participants to their homeland and encouraging them to forge connections. “While you enjoy the five-day specially curated program, please remember to make new friends, connect with peer professionals, and come up with projects that will strengthen our country. For with a strong Armenia—a country deeply rooted in history and guarantor of our identity—we will have a strong Diaspora and a nation we are all proud of. So, let’s make history together with creativity, courage, and unity–for in unity is strength.”

The reception featured a traditional Armenian dance recital, performed by the AGBU Children's Center dance group, after which some participants took a dance workshop whereas others took part in a city quest through Yerevan, exploring sights and landmarks such as the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, Visual Gap Gallery, Moscow Cinema, and the Clock Factory, which offered a silkscreen printing workshop. They also enjoyed spectacular rooftop views from the Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, the History Museum and National Gallery of Armenia, and the Yerevan Municipality, where they were welcomed by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan.

Visit to Etchmiadzin

The AGBU YP Executive Meeting of over 60 participants took place in Etchmiadzin, at the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Matenadaran. The gathering focused on how to make YP activities more efficient and inclusive, both administratively and ideologically, while fostering stronger synergies between YP groups and their communities.

His Holiness Karekin II welcomes AGBU Armenia President Vasken Yacoubian and YP Executive Committee to Etchmiadzin.

The meeting was followed with a private audience with the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, accompanied by Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian and moderated by Vasken Yacoubian. His Holiness reflected on the long-standing relationship between the Church and AGBU, highlighting the organization’s significant role in supporting both the Diaspora and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. He also expressed hope that visiting the homeland would inspire young people to grow more committed to national values and spiritual traditions and carry activities that will strengthen the state and statehood, following the example set by respected AGBU leaders and board members. The Catholicos also took time to answer questions on topics such as youth involvement in church life, the training and service of clergy, and challenges currently facing the homeland.

In parallel, a group of 150 FOCUS participants toured the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, viewing religious national treasures such as the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, the Museum of the 125th Catholicos of All Armenians Mkrtich I Khrimian and the Ruben Sevak Museum. They also became acquainted with AGBU’s contributions to Etchmiadzin, including the renovation of the Old Pontifical Residence and the founding of the Alex and Marie Manoogian Treasury House Museum.

Kick-Off Conference

As the official opening event on the FOCUS agenda, Perspectives included a panel of international speakers who addressed the theme Between Two Worlds: Bridging Perspectives, Shaping the Future. The conference was hosted at the historic Komitas Museum in Yerevan and featured Kristina Ayanian, executive producer and client experience lead at NASDAQ (New York, USA); YP Barcelona Chair Levon Grigorian, Banking & Finance Partner at Crowe (Barcelona, Spain); Egyptologist Arto Belekdanian (Cairo, Egypt); and New-York-based eminent portrait artist Tigran Tsitoghdzyan. Moderated by communications expert Alexander Plato Hakobyan (Yerevan, Armenia), the discussants explored the evolving meanings of Armenian identity, how Diasporans navigate between their citizenship and Armenian ethnicity, what defines constructive contributions to the homeland, and harnessing the immense potential among diverse communities as a force for sustainable impact.

Perspectives then extended to the picturesque park of the Komitas Museum, with Armenian wine generously provided by Zulal Wines. Participants were also treated to a performance by ART ALIVE, which transforms the works of popular Armenian artist Minas Avetisyan and French-Armenian artist Jean Carzou into an interactive dance show.

YP Yerevan Chair Haykaz Nahapetyan kicks off Perspectives meeting.

Perspectives panelists (L to R): Moderator Alexander Hakopyan, Kristina Ayanian, Levon Grigorian, Arto Belekdanian, and Tigran Tsitoghdzyan

AGBU Day of Action

The first order of the day was introducing guests to AGBU’s work and impact in Armenia. The second half of the agenda was seeing the fruits of these efforts at the AGBU Mentorship Expo. Beneficiaries of AGBU Women Entrepreneurs (WE), Women Coders, LEAP (Learn to Earn Artsakh) and AGBU Business Mentors were showcased at Yerevan’s Marriott Hotel. An exchange of ideas ensued, moderated by professionals from across the globe. These sessions offered practical advice, career insights, and valuable networking opportunities in fields such as strategic planning, digital innovation, and AI in business.

One Armenia-based beneficiary remarked, “We are inspired to see such professional Armenians who have built their careers in the Diaspora and have come here to volunteer their knowledge and expertise. It’s truly inspiring and demonstrates how AGBU continues to elevate its beneficiaries with such valuable opportunities.”

Next on the agenda was a visit to the newly renovated AGBU Children’s Center, one of the many educational initiatives of AGBU in Armenia, situated in the Malatya district of Yerevan. Nearly 200 young professionals prepared 300 hygiene kits, filled 500 school backpacks with supplies for Artsakh students, and planted 720 bushes and trees around the Center’s grounds donated by Armenia Tree Project. For over 25 years, these youth afterschool centers in Nork, Malatya, and Arapkir have operated in partnership with the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, annually serving about 1,700 students.

Tree planting on the grounds of the newly renovated AGBU Children’s Center.

FOCUS on Art

Yerevan’s rich and varied cultural offerings did not disappoint. The discovery and experiential agenda began at the Matenadaran Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts—long supported by AGBU—guests were treated to an Expo showcasing Armenian handmade products, a guided tour of the Matenadaran, and two workshops demonstrating the basics of manuscript restoration and the formulation of the ancient Armenian red pigment vordan karmir (Armenian cochineal), used in medieval miniature art.

Guests were also introduced to the missions of various cultural initiatives and institutions, such as the Keron Development Foundation and Hosq; TUMO Studios, a creative technologies hub for young artists and designers; Newmag Publishing House known for its strategy to influence Armenian mindsets; Ardean Designs, which reinterprets Armenia’s traditional motifs with modern sensibilities; and Melonpan, a boutique bakery blending traditional Armenian flavors with Japanese-style sweet bread techniques. Afterwards, guests enjoyed a dance performance by Lebanese-Armenian dancer and artist Sarine Semerjian, accompanied by Miqayel Voskanyan’s solo on the Armenian folk instrument Tar.

Lebanese-Armenian dance artist Sarine Semerjian performs at FOCUS on Art event.

Gala Night

The culmination of FOCUS 2025 took place at the Dvin Music Hall attended by 525 guests, making it the most attended single event in the series. With host FOCUS Gala Chair Lia Yeghoyants setting the high energy tone of the evening, inspiring speeches were made by AGBU President Sam Simonian; AGBU board member Camilio Azzouz; YP Yerevan Chair Haykaz Nahapetyan; and AGBU scholarship recipient Hovsep Patvakanyan.

In remarking on the empowering environment that the FOCUS summit creates for new generations of leaders, Simonian—an alumnus of AGBU schools and recipient of AGBU scholarships—spoke to the totality of the impact of AGBU worldwide. “We are all proud of the tremendous work our chapters have accomplished to preserve our identity. We are all living proof of that vision…Tonight, let’s celebrate the great work we accomplished here in Armenia—whether in humanitarian aid, education, culture or socio-economic development—under the leadership of our regional president and good friend Vasken Yacoubian. Our diversity, political neutrality, generosity and financial transparency are the core strengths that have guided us since 1906.”

AGBU President Sam Simonian addresses Gala attendees.

Nahapetyan thanked all who were involved in making FOCUS 2025 a success: from the Organizing Committee and the AGBU Central and Armenia offices to the guests who made the trip: “This isn’t just a night of glamour; it’s a statement that our homeland is at the center of the Armenian story…” he remarked. “YP Yerevan has expanded its network of professionals over the years, as have all other YP groups, old and new, across the globe. We hope to enhance this network with every possible opportunity in the years to come…”

YP Yerevan FOCUS 2025 Committee.

The Tarontsiner dance group led the entertainment with traditional folk performances and invited the guests to join them on the floor for several numbers. The rest of the evening was filled with the fusion of traditional instruments and international contemporary sounds from By the Way and Relax Project, providing one last chance to cement cherished memories of a once-in-a-lifetime Armenian experience.

FOCUS 2025 is the 12th in a series of biennial summits that have taken place in a destination city, including New York (2001, 2007), Montreal (2003), Miami (2005), Chicago (2009), Paris (2011), San Francisco (2013), Toronto (2015), Beirut (2017), São Paulo (2019), Madrid (2023). The next summit will take place in the summer of 2027 in a location to be determined.

To view the FOCUS 2025 photo gallery, please visit https://agbu.org/focus-2025-gallery.