On June 20, the Foreign Minister, the President of the National Commission of UNESCO Zohrab Mnatsaknayan held an online lecture, entitled “Armenia and the policy of Genocide Prevention”, for students and the alumni of Yerevan State University and the American University of Armenia.

The lecture marked the establishment of the UNESCO Chair on Education and Prevention of Genocide and other Atrocity Crimes in Yerevan State University.

The Minister welcomed the participants of the meeting and emphasized the importance of holding regular meetings in this format. Minister Mnatsakanyan presented in detail the consistent steps undertaken by the Armenian diplomacy to promote the agenda of genocide prevention. “Armenia's role is more highlighted in the sense that over the years, as a member of the international community, a member of the UN, we have committed ourselves to consistently promote international cooperation for prevention.”

Emphasizing the importance of strengthening the capacities of early warning and early actions, Minister Mnatsakanyan underscored that the prevention begins at national level. In this context, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan stressed the primary importance of full use of the national scientific potential for national goals in the foreign policy of Armenia.

The Minister expressed conviction that our scientists are capable of occupying a significant role in the international analytical system, being involved in practical works of prevention. “Our work in diplomatic and political arena will be incomplete if our national scientific resources do not supplement and guide the essence of our diplomatic and political goals and functions”

During the lecture Minister Mnatsakanyan answered the participants’ questions on the foreign policy priorities of Armenia.