YEREVAN – The Applied Policy Research Institute of Armenia (APRI Armenia), an independent think tank based in Yerevan, hosted its fifth annual APRI Forum on September 23–25, 2026, centered on the theme “Sketching the Architecture of Change.”
The landmark Forum established a premier platform for high-level dialogue on stability and prosperity in the South Caucasus. The event brought together policymakers, diplomats, business people, the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE) community, civil society representatives, and journalists and offered in-depth and thought-provoking conversations to explore how Armenia can shift from reacting to a changing environment to actively shaping its future and strengthening its agency.
The Forum featured 59 distinguished speakers—including 17 international experts—representing 12 countries: speakers were present from Belgium, Estonia, Georgia, Iran, Ireland, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and there were virtual contributions from Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
The Forum opened with remarks from Sargis Khandanyan, Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations of the National Assembly of Armenia, who discussed Armenia’s foreign policy diversification in terms of access to foreign markets, energy, and certain forms of security cooperation, while stressing that the principle of balance should always be kept in mind. He also addressed Armenia’s connectivity, mentioning that the TRIPP project is an opportunity for Armenia’s broader unblocking if it opens up our connectivity infrastructure.
Grounded in APRI Armenia’s research philosophy—a multidisciplinary approach combining geopolitical analysis with geoeconomic assessments— the Forum addressed economic resilience in the face of geopolitical uncertainty through an address by Martin Galstyan, Governor of the Central Bank of Armenia. Galstyan emphasized that amid ongoing geographical constraints, prudent macroeconomic governance is a core pillar sustaining Armenia’s economic stability and growth.
Multilateral Panels and Strategic Collaborations
Throughout the conference, panels examined Armenia’s bilateral relationships with partners and neighbors—including the United States, the European Union, Iran, Russia, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan—as well as defense issues. Specialized sessions addressed critical emerging domains, including high-tech diplomacy, artificial intelligence, diaspora engagement, youth empowerment, and civil society reforms.
Beyond formal discussions, the APRI Forum facilitated high-impact side-meetings and networking events connecting visiting foreign experts with strategic stakeholders from Armenia’s public and private sectors, forging new cross-sector collaborations aimed at driving sustainable regional progress.
The Applied Policy Research Institute of Armenia Foundation (APRI Armenia) is an independent think tank and policy accelerator focused on advancing regional stability, sustainable prosperity, and civic engagement. We are a hub of trusted dialogue, independent analysis, and authoritative ideas to address critical policy issues and unlock Armenia’s potential with a solution-oriented mindset.
