FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2024

Media Contact: Stephanie Mkhlian
Email: SMkhlian@Glendaleca.gov
Office Phone: (818) 550-4424

Glendale Mayor Elen Asatryan Participates in State Department’s
Armenia Local Democracy Forum

Glendale, CA – Glendale Mayor Elen Asatryan traveled to Armenia to participate, in part, in the first of its kind, U.S-Armenia Local Democracy Forum organized by the U.S. Department of State. The purpose of the visit was to develop bilateral relations, explore economic opportunities and promote cultural and educational exchanges between Armenia and Glendale, and the United States.

Leading the U.S. delegation was Ambassador (ret.) Nina Hachigian, the U.S. Department of State Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy, accompanied by Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs Sarah Morgenthau. The delegation included Mayor Elen Asatryan of Glendale, California; Director Samuel Assefa for the Office of Planning and Research of the State of California; Mayor Paige Cognetti of Scranton, Pennsylvania; Mayor Wilmot Collins of Helena, Montana; Mayor Victor Gordo of Pasadena, California; Deputy Secretary Kelsey Olson at the Department of Agriculture of the State of Kansas; and Chief Information Officer Ted Ross of Los Angeles, California.

The opening day of the forum comprised of remarks from US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma presentations from the various Sister Cities followed by an in-depth discussion with the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Kristina Kvien where plans were announced to establish new partnerships between Helena, Montana, and Stepanavan; Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Armavir; and Michigan state and Tavush province.

"I am deeply honored to have been invited to participate in the historic inaugural U.S.- Armenia trip as the mayor representing the largest population of Armenian diasporans. Our role as changemakers is to create a lasting positive impact, leaving our communities better than we found them. There are many opportunities for partnerships and not just Glendale offering to Armenia, but all that Armenia has to offer to us.  I am fully committed to strengthening and enhancing our Sister City relationships and look forward to our collective work ahead,” said Glendale Mayor Elen Asatryan.

During the trip, the Mayor joined the delegation to pay her respects and tribute to the 1.5+ million Armenian souls from 1915 to today at Tsitsernakaberd Memorial. This was a poignant reminder of the shared history and the enduring strength of the Armenian community and Armenian Diaspora communities worldwide, and ever so special to share the moment with Special Representative Sarah Morgenthau who is the great-granddaughter of Henry Morgenthau Sr., the U.S. ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, who in 1915 documented the systematic atrocities and Genocide against Armenians.

Mayor Asatryan, along with Sam Aseffa, Director of the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, also visited Glendale's Sister City, Kapan. They met with Mayor Gevorg Parsyan and county representatives, toured prospective redevelopment sites, and discussed future opportunities. Key topics included wildfire prevention, emergency crisis response, and establishing student and educational exchanges. Kapan, nestled in the Syunik region, became a Sister City to Glendale in 2006, preceding establishment of Sister States between California and Syunik by the CA State Legislature.

Mayor Asatryan also visited Gyumri both with the delegation and twice separately to meet with Mayor Samvel Balasanyan and municipal officials, tour the Gyumri Technology Center, and partake in panel discussions on IT development, public-private partnerships, climate change response, and tourism promotion. As part of a local municipalities panel, Mayor Asatryan discussed key topics such as sustainability efforts Glendale is taking the lead on, economic development and industries of focus as well as entertainment and tourism.

In Gyumri, Mayor Asatryan also participated in the opening of the third housing project of “My Gyumri” Program during which keys to 50 new and furnished apartments were given to families who to date have been living in shacks since the devastating 1988 earthquake. The initiative was put together with the efforts of Armenia Fund and Robert Oghlakhchyan, owner of the US-based ARTN TV company. A Glendale resident, Mr. Oghlakhchyan, is originally from Gyumri whose family suffered great loss during the earthquake.

Throughout discussions with local and global leaders, Mayor Asatryan discussed strategies for effective engagement with local community groups and non-profit organizations and strengthening our community’s social fabric and government services offered. During her visit to the Friendship City, Kentron District, the Mayor met with District Head Petros Petoyan and visited Armenia’s Women’s Center and plans to create a partnership between the Glendale YWCA, as well as domestic violence response training by Glendale Police Department. She also met with women entrepreneurs and CEOs to exchange knowledge about the California Equal Pay Pledge, discuss issues and opportunities for programming to uplift women in different sectors. This pledge underscores Glendale's commitment to conducting an annual company-wide gender pay analysis, reviewing hiring and promotion processes to reduce unconscious bias, and promoting best practices to help close the pay gap and ensure fundamental equity for all employees.

Upon her return, the Mayor had placed on the council agenda to discuss bringing about structure to all sister city relations. Council provided feedback and the item is expected to come back in the coming month.  The Mayor is committed to reigniting the ties between Sister Cities as well as enhancing communications and partnerships at large. The Mayor has already discussed exchange ideas with Sister Cities Kapan and Gyumri, and Friendship City Kentron District including but not limited to creative crosswalks, art and culture, student exchange, economic development, urban planning, building and safety as well as public works. Mayor Asatryan is set to plan a Glendale Sister City delegation trip in late September 2024.

The U.S. Department of State financed all travel costs (transportation, lodging, and food) for Mayor Asatryan to participate.

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