Please join the Fletcher Eurasia Club and the Tavitian Scholars for a series of conversations examining the complex challenges and opportunities facing Armenia in the spheres of security, humanitarian affairs, economics, and business. The events will feature the Tavitian Scholars, who are currently studying at The Fletcher School, to provide insights into the country’s evolving security and humanitarian landscape, its efforts to ensure economic resilience, and the strategies it employs to foster entrepreneurship and investment. 

Through the series, we seek to contribute to a deeper understanding of Armenia’s current situation and explore potential paths forward in an increasingly complex regional context. The conversations will be held under the Chatham House Rule. The series is intended to be a scholarly dialogue, and opinions expressed during the sessions do not reflect the official positions of the institutions that the Tavitian Scholars represent.

The conversation will provide a comprehensive overview of the current economic landscape in Armenia, focusing on recent developments, priority sectors, main trading partners, and emerging challenges. The participants will delve into the intricacies of the Armenian economy, exploring the prospects of key industries such as energy and tourism. Additionally, they will analyze the Armenian financial system’s challenges and opportunities, including the impacts of external shocks on monetary policy. Moreover, the conversation will extend to strategic considerations for economic diversification, attracting foreign investment, promoting long-term resilience amid regional dynamics, as well as recent migration trends. The event is open to members of the Fletcher and Tufts communities and invited guests. Please register via the Google Form here to attend the event in person. Lunch will be served.

	Anna Avanesyan is Chief Economist at the Public Services Regulatory Commission of the Republic of Armenia, with over two decades of diverse expertise. Holding a PhD, ACCA certifications, and ERP certification, she integrates insights from public regulatory roles and private financial leadership. Beyond her chief economist responsibilities, Dr. Avanesyan spearheads initiatives to refine financial reporting and operational processes. Her high-level personal goals encompass advancing sustainable economic practices within regulatory frameworks, contributing to the development of sound financial policies, fostering innovation in ERP solutions and actively engaged in project management.
	Artur Hanyan commenced his career at the Central Bank of Armenia, assuming various roles within the Financial Supervision Department. His academic journey included studies at Yerevan State University’s Economic Faculty, where he received a master’s degree in economics. He has also received a Graduate Executive Certificate in Management from the American University of Armenia in 2023. His professional trajectory expanded to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, where he contributed to compliance, inspections, and examinations. At the Central Bank, he held pivotal roles in currency operations supervision and IT leadership, further advancing to the Deputy Head of the ID department.
	Meri Hovsepyan holds a Ph.D in economics. She is a Senior Fellow at the ORBELI Research Analytical Center (Yerevan). She also holds a Master’s degree in External Trade Policy and honed her professional skills specializing in international business at Poznan University of Economics (Poland). Since 2017, Meri has contributed significantly to research on integration processes in the global economy and crisis evaluation. Her extensive body of work includes numerous scientific publications and analytical articles, shedding light on global market dynamics and their impact on the Armenian economy. Meri actively engages in lecturing at the Armenian State University of Economics and participates in conferences, training, and strategy designing processes. Her emphasis on combating disinformation in Armenia contributes to informed decision-making and accurate information dissemination.
	Karen Sahakyan, equipped with a university degree in Economics with a specialization in Audit, has held managerial positions across various financial service industries. Presently, he serves as an internal auditor at the National Foundation for Servicemen Insurance while concurrently a lecturer at the Armenian State University of Economics. Moreover, Karen is the co-founder and board member of the Institute of Internal Auditors in Armenia, boasting significant expertise in the realm of internal audit.
	Argishti Tadevosyan is a Finance graduate from Armenian State University of Economics and a holder of a Master’s in Economics from American University of Armenia. He began his career as an economiststatistician at the Macroeconomic Department of Central Bank of Armenia. Transitioning to the role of a banking supervisor in the Financial Supervision and Licensing Directorate in 2021, his journey reflects a dedication to financial oversight and regulatory compliance. As a trusted professional within the Central Bank of Armenia, Argishti holds a wealth of expertise and commitment to the financial sector with the focus on monetary policy and financial stability. With a forward-thinking approach and aspiration for innovation, he is actively engaged in the process of implementing new solutions into the supervision and regulation of Armenian commercial banks. He is proficient in English, Russian, and Armenian languages.