The Union of Communities of Armenia held its General Assembly, presenting the results of its activities over the past six months, reviewing implemented initiatives, and outlining its strategic priorities for the coming years. The conference brought together representatives of state institutions, community leaders, international partners, and experts, serving as an important platform for professional dialogue on the development of local self-government.

 

The event was opened by Tigran Avinyan, Mayor of Yerevan and President of the Union of Communities of Armenia. In his welcoming remarks, he emphasized that modern communities are no longer merely administrative units but have become key drivers of economic development, investment, education, tourism, culture, and the delivery of public services. According to him, climate, economic, and demographic changes, together with rapidly evolving digital technologies, require communities to adopt new approaches and more effective governance practices.

Tigran Avinyan highlighted the important role of the Union of Communities of Armenia as the organization representing the interests of communities and actively participating in the development of public policies. He stressed that the Union will continue supporting institutional development, strengthening financial autonomy, expanding inter-municipal cooperation, and promoting the introduction of modern governance tools.

The conference also featured remarks by David Khudatyan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia. The Minister emphasized the crucial role of communities in ensuring balanced national development, the effective functioning of the local self-government system, and the delivery of high-quality public services to citizens. He noted that strengthening communities remains one of the Government's key policy priorities and that continuous, constructive cooperation between communities and state institutions is essential for the successful implementation of ongoing reforms.

Presenting the comprehensive report on the Union's activities over the past six months, Armen Harutyunyan, Director General of the Union of Communities of Armenia, stated that during the reporting period the organization continued its work in three major strategic directions: institutional strengthening, capacity building for communities, and representing and protecting community interests at both the national and international levels.

One of the most significant achievements of recent months was the opening of the Union's new office at 1/3 Byuzand Street. The new premises are intended not only for the organization's administrative operations but also as a hub for cooperation among community representatives, experts, and international partners, as well as for training programs and professional discussions. The new office symbolizes a new stage in the Union's development and its continued institutional strengthening.

During the reporting period, the Union also significantly expanded the range of professional support services available to communities. It established systems providing legal advisory services, public relations and communications support, crisis communication assistance, legislative analysis, and guidance in developing communication strategies. For the first time, the Union also organized a meeting of public relations professionals representing Armenia's communities, aiming to create a unified professional network and encourage the exchange of experience and best practices.

Expanding international cooperation has remained another key area of the Union's activities. Over the past several months, the Union of Communities of Armenia has actively strengthened partnerships with international organizations and leading institutions in the field of local self-government, enabling Armenian communities to benefit from international best practices, innovative solutions, and modern approaches to local governance and development.

The Union also continued to play an active role in legislative processes by presenting the perspectives and interests of communities regarding key reforms related to local self-government.

During the General Assembly, participants were also presented with the progress made in developing the 2026–2031 Strategy of the Union of Communities of Armenia. The new strategy will focus on strengthening community capacities, enhancing financial independence, introducing digital solutions, expanding international cooperation, improving the quality of municipal services, and integrating the principles of sustainable development into local governance.

The General Assembly served not only as a forum for presenting the Union's achievements but also as an important platform for shaping its future vision. The speeches and discussions once again underscored that strong communities are among the most important prerequisites for Armenia's sustainable development, while effective local self-government remains one of the fundamental pillars of a modern state.