The evening brought together judges, current and former public officials, philanthropists, academics, and political and community leaders. Deukmejian’s widow, Gloria Deukmejian, attended with their daughters, Leslie and Andrea. Greg Kahvejian served as master of ceremonies. For about a decade, he was involved in Deukmejian’s election campaigns and inaugural committees, as well as in other work related to his tenure as governor.

The exhibition at the Zorayan Museum featured historic photographs, video footage, archival documents, and memorabilia. The materials traced Deukmejian’s journey from his roots in an Armenian immigrant family in New York to the California Legislature, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Governor’s Office. Separate sections focused on his fiscal policies, education funding, judicial appointments, public safety, and the political representation of the Armenian-American community.

The evening’s principal announcement was the establishment of the George Deukmejian Scholarship Fund. Maria Mehranian, President of ArmeniaFund, Inc. USA, outlined the fund’s purpose. The new initiative is designed for California students pursuing academic and professional paths in law, public policy, community leadership, and civic engagement. It will provide scholarships, professional guidance, and opportunities to develop leadership skills.

The fund aims to translate Deukmejian’s experience in public service into practical opportunities for young professionals by supporting their education, professional development, and engagement in government and community institutions. The initiative places particular emphasis on the early stages of public-service careers, when students and young professionals often need financial and professional support most.

George Deukmejian (1928–2018) was born in Menands, New York, into a family of Armenian immigrants. After completing his legal studies and serving in a legal capacity in the U.S. Army, he moved to California and settled in Long Beach. He was elected to the California State Assembly in 1962 and the California State Senate in 1966; in 1978, he was elected Attorney General of California.

In 1982, Deukmejian was elected California’s 35th governor, becoming the first Armenian-American to hold the office; he was reelected to a second term in 1986. His tenure was marked by fiscal discipline, education funding, public safety, and judicial appointments. After leaving office, he returned to the practice of law and remained a prominent figure in California public life and Armenian-American history until his death.

The evening also reflected the long-term approach that has taken shape at the Western Diocese under Archbishop Hovnan Derderian’s leadership: the collective memory of the Armenian people and the Armenian-American community is not confined to archives or ceremonial speeches, but is carried forward through the museum, as well as through educational, cultural, and civic initiatives.

According to a statement issued by the Patriarchate, the individual climbed over the cemetery wall before vandalizing six graves and a fountain in what it described as “an incident that deeply saddened our community.”

The Üsküdar Surp Garabet Church Foundation Board immediately reported the attack to law enforcement authorities, who launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrator.

“The Patriarchal Seat strongly condemns this heinous attack against the sacred values and eternal resting places of our community,” the statement said, expressing hope that the suspect would be brought to justice.

The Patriarchate also thanked security officials for their prompt response and for continuing their investigation “with great care and sensitivity” to clarify the circumstances of the attack.

The incident has caused deep distress among members of the Armenian community, particularly families whose loved ones are buried at the historic cemetery, the Patriarchate noted.

The Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey said it is closely monitoring developments in the case and expressed confidence that the investigation will lead to the identification and prosecution of the attacker.

The terms of the house arrest remain unchanged. Under the court’s ruling, Karapetyan is prohibited from communicating with individuals specified in previous court decisions issued within the framework of the criminal proceedings.

Criminal proceedings against Karapetyan began on June 19, 2025, when he was placed in pre-trial detention for two months on charges of publicly calling for the seizure of power and the overthrow of Armenia’s constitutional order.

The case was later expanded to include a money laundering charge.

In January 2026, the court replaced Karapetyan’s pre-trial detention with house arrest. In April 2026, the Anti-Corruption Court extended the house arrest by a further three months. The latest ruling prolongs the measure for another two months pending the ongoing criminal proceedings.

The legal framework for international cooperation is sound, and Armenia generally provides high-quality and timely assistance, demonstrating a proactive approach to seeking cooperation with foreign counterparts, particularly in corruption cases. However, this approach is not applied systematically to associated offences, such as drug trafficking. Mutual legal assistance is used, to some extent, for asset recovery efforts.

Checks on criminals in finance sector functioning

The report positively acknowledges the controls in place to prevent criminals and their associates from entering the regulated financial sector, as well as the financial supervisor’s understanding of money-laundering and terrorist-financing  risks. Further steps are needed in the supervision of virtual asset service providers and non-public investments funds, which were recently regulated. The supervision of designated non-financial businesses and professions displayed limited effectiveness, with few sanctions and remedial actions applied, and these were not sufficiently dissuasive.

The Armenian authorities identified limited-liability companies, closed joint-stock companies, and, in some cases, non-profit organisations as the legal persons most frequently involved in criminal activities. A multi-pronged approach is used to obtain beneficial ownership information, but further steps are needed to ensure transparency, especially through the completion of the beneficial-ownership register and by verifying the accuracy and currency of the information it contains.

Financial intelligence and legal framework assessed

The report commends Armenia’s Financial Intelligence Unit for the progress made in expanding its human and IT resources, its broad access to data, and the quality of the intelligence provided to law enforcement authorities. Nevertheless, both the volume and quality of suspicious activity reports by the private sector should be improved. MONEYVAL also calls on the intelligence bodies to increase their focus on the money laundering aspects of criminal investigations.

Armenia’s legal and institutional framework has undergone reforms that have led to an increase in money laundering investigations and prosecutions, particularly in corruption-related cases. However, the system remains predominantly associated-offence-driven, with a focus on self-laundering linked to domestic offences.  The restrictive interpretation of the money-laundering offence limits prosecutions, while the number of convictions remains low.

Questions over centrality of criminal-asset recovery

Despite significant efforts to establish a legal and institutional framework for asset recovery, the results achieved in seizure and confiscation of proceeds of crime do not demonstrate that criminal-asset recovery is pursued as a policy objective. While the introduction of the civil-forfeiture regime has strengthened the country’s ability to confiscate illicit assets, MONEYVAL calls for a comprehensive review of the asset recovery framework across all stages of the recovery process, together with enhanced expertise and resources for tracing, seizing and confiscating proceeds of crime. While there have been no prosecutions or convictions for terrorist financing, the legal and institutional framework is duly in place. Concerns remain regarding the consistent identification of terrorist-financing activities, particularly where funds are raised through associated criminality, with insufficient use of available information and underreporting of terrorist-financing suspicions by the private sector.

The report positively acknowledges Armenia’s robust framework and effective coordination mechanisms in implementing targeted financial sanctions related to terrorism and proliferation financing, as well as its risk-based oversight of non-profit organisations.

Following the assessment Armenia received a roadmap of key recommended actions to be completed within three years. Based on the effectiveness and technical compliance ratings received, Armenia has been placed in the enhanced follow-up process and is required to report back to MONEYVAL on the progress made.

The events include the Global Dialogue for AI Governance, the high-level dialogue of the AI for Good Global Summit 2026, and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2026. Held under the auspices of the United Nations, the gatherings bring together representatives of governments, international organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

Opening the Global Dialogue for AI Governance, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that artificial intelligence is advancing at a pace that is outstripping existing governance mechanisms. He said the world faces a choice between deliberate governance and allowing AI development to proceed unchecked, highlighting the risks of autonomous decision-making, the spread of disinformation, and the concentration of technological resources.

To address these challenges, Guterres outlined four key priorities, including the adoption of a “Commitment to Children’s Safety,” calling for mandatory safety testing of AI systems, zero tolerance for AI-generated child abuse material, and guaranteed access to qualified human support for children during crises.

He also stressed the need to uphold “red lines,” emphasizing that final decisions in high-stakes sectors such as justice and healthcare must remain under human control.

Concluding his remarks, Guterres said today’s generation may be the last capable of defining the rules governing coexistence between humans and intelligent machines, urging the international community to shape an AI future created by humanity, in partnership with humanity, and for the benefit of all.

Speaking during the governmental plenary session of the Global Dialogue for AI Governance, First Deputy Minister Gevorg Mantashyan presented Armenia’s strategic priorities for AI development, governance, and deployment.

He underscored the importance of responsible AI governance, stressing that technological innovation must be accompanied by stronger cybersecurity, robust data protection, adherence to international human rights standards, and meaningful human oversight.

Mantashyan identified infrastructure investment, talent development, and responsible international partnerships as the country’s key priorities for advancing the AI sector.

He also presented several strategic initiatives launched in Armenia to build a comprehensive AI ecosystem, highlighting the Ministry’s AI Virtual Institute—a platform designed to provide AI innovators, researchers, and the technology community with advanced cloud infrastructure, computing resources, collaboration opportunities, and tools for developing AI solutions.

According to Mantashyan, Armenia’s vision of becoming a “Garden of AI Factories” is already taking shape through projects such as Eleveight AI and Firebird AI.

He emphasized that effective governance of AI requires close international cooperation and inclusive dialogue among governments, academia, and the private sector, reaffirming Armenia’s readiness to work with international partners in support of sustainable development, global security, and shared prosperity.

During his visit, Mantashyan also met with representatives of Switzerland’s AI House initiative. The discussions focused on preparations for next year’s AI Impact Summit, opportunities to strengthen Armenia’s role at the event, and new avenues for international cooperation.

The meetings also addressed ways to showcase Armenia’s achievements in artificial intelligence on global platforms, deepen partnerships, and develop joint initiatives that will accelerate the country’s AI ecosystem and deliver tangible results.

Mantashyan noted that such cooperation is essential for bringing international best practices to Armenia and strengthening the country’s position as a regional hub for artificial intelligence.

The new arrangement, effective from June 13, also simplifies procedures for those residing in the other country. Applicants seeking to exchange their driver’s licenses are exempt from the theoretical and practical driving examinations normally required as part of the process.

Under the agreement, driver’s licenses issued by Armenia and the UAE are mutually recognized without additional procedures or the need to revalidate their authenticity.

The memorandum was signed on September 30, 2025, by Armenia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan and the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

According to the ministry, the initiative reflects the steadily expanding cooperation between Armenia and the UAE and provides practical benefits that make everyday life easier for citizens of both countries.

The mission is conducted as part of the long-standing scientific cooperation between the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and ISMEO – the International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies. The project is co-directed by Varduhy Melikyan on the Armenian side and Roberto Dan on the Italian side.

Conducted from May 26 to June 25, this year’s excavations focused on several key areas of the multi-layered site, aiming to refine the chronology, function and development of one of central Armenia’s most important archaeological landscapes.

Researchers confirmed Shamiram’s remarkable continuity of occupation, spanning the Late Bronze and Iron Ages through the Urartian, post-Urartian, Hellenistic, Late Antique, medieval and post-medieval periods. The site is distinguished by its extensive fortified rocky plateau, monumental defensive systems, settlement areas and burial complexes.

Among the season’s most important discoveries was the continued excavation of Tomb 3, a monumental Late Bronze Age burial featuring concentric stone circles, a central stone cist, rich grave goods, bronze weapons, obsidian and metal arrowheads, and the remains of a ritually sacrificed horse. Archaeologists say the findings offer valuable new evidence on local elites, burial customs and the symbolic role of horses in Late Bronze Age Armenia.

Excavations also uncovered important evidence relating to the site’s pre-Urartian occupation. Behind one of the towers of the Urartian fortress, archaeologists identified a Middle Iron Age room bearing clear traces of fire and destruction, as well as a burial predating the construction of the Urartian fortification. The sequence provides a rare opportunity to study the transformation of a local Iron Age center before and during the expansion of the Kingdom of Urartu.

Further research in the fortified sectors revealed that the visible L-shaped entrance of Wall 2 was likely reconstructed during the Hellenistic period, replacing an earlier Iron Age gateway. Meanwhile, excavation and cleaning of Tower 3 confirmed the monumental nature of Urartian military architecture, exposing a well-preserved megalithic structure measuring approximately 8.5 by 8.5 meters.

The 2026 campaign also provided new insights into Shamiram’s post-Urartian development. In Area 7, archaeologists uncovered column bases, architectural structures built against Urartian towers and well-preserved medieval buildings, illustrating how the ancient fortifications continued to shape the site’s spatial organization for centuries.

According to the mission, the findings further establish Shamiram as one of central Armenia’s most significant archaeological sites, offering a continuous record from Late Bronze Age funerary traditions and Iron Age communities to Urartian monumental architecture and the site’s later reuse and transformation.

The project is co-financed by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, with the support and coordination of the Embassy of Italy in Yerevan. Researchers noted that anthropological, archaeozoological and other specialized analyses of the excavated material will continue, providing further insights into the history of Shamiram and its place in Armenia’s ancient cultural landscape.

The church was consecrated by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.

For Colorado’s Armenians, the newly consecrated church is the culmination of more than two decades of hope, work, sacrifice, and unity. The Denver Armenian Apostolic parish was established in 2003 to serve Armenians throughout the state. On December 10 of that year, its first Divine Liturgy in Denver was celebrated by the Rev. Fr. Tatev Harutyunyan at St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church.

From that modest beginning, parishioners held fast to a central goal: to establish a permanent Armenian church that would serve as a spiritual, communal, and cultural home for Armenians in Colorado. The story of this church is especially powerful because it was not built through the support of a single major benefactor or one central sponsor. More than 200 Armenian families brought together their resources, labor, time, and responsibility to create a sanctuary rooted in their own shared will.

On Saturday evening, ahead of the consecration, the traditional Navagadik service was held. Accompanied by the Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan, Diocesan Vicar of the Western Diocese, and the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, pastor of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, the Primate conducted the symbolic opening-of-the-doors rite before the closed doors of the church. In the tradition of the Armenian Church, this rite sets apart a sacred space from secular use and dedicates it to divine worship.

The following day, hundreds of faithful gathered for the consecration of the church and the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Among those in attendance were Anna Avetisyan, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles; Berj Apkarian, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Fresno; Tigran Muradyan, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Denver; Derek Ghookasian, Chair of the Diocesan Council of the Western Diocese; as well as clergy, benefactors, civic and parish leaders, and guests.

During the consecration, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian proclaimed the name of the church: St. Hripsime and All Saints Armenian Church. Parishioners received the announcement warmly, marking the final affirmation of a dream cherished for many years.

The name St. Hripsime gives the newly consecrated church special historical and spiritual meaning. In the tradition of the Armenian Church, St. Hripsime is revered as one of Armenia’s earliest Christian martyrs. Her martyrdom is closely tied to the history of Armenia’s conversion to Christianity, and the Cathedral of St. Hripsime in Vagharshapat has stood for centuries as one of the Armenian Apostolic Church’s most important sanctuaries. In Denver, that legacy is carried by the first Armenian Apostolic church in the United States to bear the name of St. Hripsime, adding further symbolic significance to the new sanctuary.

In his remarks, the Primate emphasized that the new church is more than a building; it is a living witness to faith, unity, and the continuity of Armenian life. He commended the years of work behind the project, the dedication of its volunteers, the support of its benefactors, and the perseverance that enabled Denver’s Armenians to grow from an Apostolic parish into a full church family.

Following the consecration, remarks were offered by the Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan; Consul General Anna Avetisyan; Derek Ghookasian, Chair of the Diocesan Council; and Hrant Miramanyan, Chair of the Parish Council of the newly consecrated church. Each speaker underscored the importance of the day not only for Armenians in Colorado, but also for the spiritual and civic life of Armenian Americans.

The consecration of St. Hripsime and All Saints Armenian Church also stands within the broader growth of the Western Diocese. When Archbishop Hovnan Derderian assumed the office of Primate of the Western Diocese in 2003, the Diocese had 14 churches. Under his leadership, 13 additional churches have been built and brought into the life of the Church, bringing the total to 27. This growth is more than an administrative measure: it represents new spiritual centers, new anchors of Armenian life, and new opportunities for Armenians to have a church home where they live.

Denver’s newly consecrated church is an important milestone in that continuing development. It stands out as a model of collective participation: at its foundation is not the benefaction of one individual, but the shared will of hundreds of families. For that reason, St. Hripsime and All Saints Armenian Church in Denver is not only a place of prayer for Colorado’s Armenians. It is also an expression of their collective responsibility, their faith, and their confidence in the future.

In the Armenian diaspora, the Church remains one of the strongest institutions for preserving language, culture, and identity. Through the Western Diocese’s Saturday and Sunday schools, its day school, and its youth camps, more than 3,000 young people each year deepen their connection to the Armenian language, Armenian history, church tradition, and cultural life. More than 220 teachers and educators support that work, linking one generation to the next and keeping Armenian identity active in daily life. With its consecration, St. Hripsime and All Saints Armenian Church in Denver becomes part of that larger work: a spiritual home, a cultural anchor, and a living answer to the defining question of diaspora life: how to remain Armenian far from the homeland.

Vardanyan was born in the city of Aintab in Cilicia. Her earliest childhood memories were marked by the horrors of the Armenian Genocide, memories that remained with her throughout her life.

Together with the surviving members of her family, she found refuge in Aleppo. She preserved the carpet weaving and handicraft traditions of Aintab, and her works were later exhibited at the museum of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in Antelias.

In 1935, she married Aintab-born violinist and composer Hovhannes Vardanyan. The couple had six children. She was widowed in 1969 and never remarried.

In 1972, Vardanyan moved to the United States with her son and settled in Watertown, where she lived for about 45 years.