ArmIGF 2026 will be held in a hybrid format, offering both in-person and online participation.This year, the Forum will focus on key issues regarding artificial intelligence, digital innovation, technological infrastructure and responsible governance.
ArmIGF is a multistakeholder platform that brings together representatives from diverse sectors engaged in the development of the Internet and the digital environment. These include government institutions, the private sector, civil society, the technical community, academia and education, youth, and other interested stakeholders.
Participation is free and open to all individuals and stakeholder groups interested in Internet governance and digital development, regardless of their professional background.
Registration is open until October 31.
Yerevan, Armenia
Hybrid format – in person and online
Join ArmIGF 2026 and be part of the multistakeholder dialogue shaping Armenia’s digital future.
SPEAKERS
Igor Mkrtumyan
Internet Society NGO, Board chair
Sally Wentworth
ISOC, ISOC Foundation, President and CEO
Anja Gengo
lGF Secretariat
Christopher Mondini
IGFSA Executive Committee member
Gabriella Schittek
ICANN, Stakeholder Engagement Director, Europe
Vahan Hovsepyan
RIPE NCC, Senior Community and Public Policy Advisor
Kristina Hakobyan
Internet Governance Council, Secretary
Henrik Sergoyan
COPA, cofounder
Natalia Mochu
ITU, Regional Director
Shant Kassardjian
ISAA, manager of the cybersecurity team
Armen Hunanyan
PSRC of RA, Head of the Telecommunications Department
Komitas Stepanyan
International Monetary Fund, Cybersecurity Expert
Kristine Gyonjyan
“Union of operators of Armenia” NGO, Director Himmat Singh Sandhu – World Bank, Digital specialist
Himmat Singh Sandhu
World Bank, Digital specialist
Albert Toneyan
"Internet Society" NGO, Bord Vice-Chair, Armenian internet traffic exchange foundation, president
Gevorg Hayrapetyan
Personal data protection expert
Tatevik Grigoryan
UNESCO associate programme specialist for digital transformation and policies
Amir Soleimani
Cloud & Infrastructure at EdgeSimplify, Head of Network
Andrey Vorobyov
Coordination Center for TLD .RU/.РФ, Director
Artur Papyan
CyberHUB-AM, Co-founder, media expert
Dmitry Kuteynikov
RKS Global, PhD, Chief Legal Officer, Researcher in AI Governance & Regulation
Tatev Aslanyan
Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence of the Republic of Armenia
Artur Ratevosyan
TEAM Telecom Armenia, Head of Cyber Security department
Armen Virabyan
EasyPay, Deputy CEO & CFO
Armen Avetisian
Viva Armenia CJSC, General Director
Hayk Voskanyan
Ministry of High-Tech Industry & AI of RA, Digitization department, Head of Cybersecurity division
Agenda
09:30 - 10:00
Registration
10:00 - 10:40
Opening Ceremony
Building Armenia’s Digital Future: A Shared Responsibility
Speakers:
- Tatev Aslanyan – Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence of the Republic of Armenia
- Igor Mkrtumyan – Internet Society NGO, Board chair
- Sally Wentworth ֊ ISOC, ISOC Foundation, President and CEO (online)
- Anja Gengo – lGF Secretariat (online)
- Christopher Mondini – IGFSA Executive Committee member (online)
- Gabriella Schittek – ICANN, Stakeholder Engagement Director, Europe (online)
- Vahan Hovsepyan – RIPE NCC, Senior Community and Public Policy Advisor
- Andrey Vorobyov – Coordination Center for TLD .RU/.РФ, Director (online)
- Kristina Hakobyan – Internet Society NGO Board vice Chair, Internet Governance Council, Secretary
10:40 - 11:50
Armenia’s AI Future:From Innovation and Infrastructure to Responsible Governance
Armenia’s growing interest in AI creates new opportunities for research, business, investment, and international cooperation.
- What does Armenia need to support AI development, including good infrastructure, access to data, and skilled people, while also ensuring that AI is developed safely, responsibly, and for the benefit of society?
Moderator:
Vahan Hovsepyan – RIPE NCC, Senior Community and Public Policy Advisor
Speakers:
- Tatev Aslanyan – Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence of the Republic of Armenia
- Armen Avetisian – Viva Armenia CJSC, General Director
- Henrik Sergoyan – COPA, cofounder
- Natalia Mochu – ITU, Regional Director (online)
11:50 - 13:00
Critical Information Infrastructure: From Cybersecurity to National Resilience
Critical information infrastructure underpins Armenia’s essential services, economic stability, and national resilience.
- How Armenia can identify, govern, develop, and protect this infrastructure, and maintain essential services during cyber incidents, infrastructure failures, and emergencies?
Moderator:
Kristina Hakobyan – Internet Society NGO Board vice Chair, Internet Governance Council, Secretary
Speakers:
- Hayk Voskanyan ֊ Ministry of High-Tech Industry & AI of RA, Digitization department,
Head of Cybersecurity division - Shant Kassardjian – ISAA, manager of the cybersecurity team
- Armen Hunanyan – PSRC of RA, Head of the Telecommunications Department
- Artur Ratevosyan ֊ TEAM Telecom Armenia, Head of Cyber Security department
- Komitas Stepanyan – International Monetary Fund, Cybersecurity Expert
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch
14:00 - 15:30
Connecting Armenia: Regional Connectivity, Digital Public Infrastructure and Equal Access
Armenia’s digital development depends on resilient international connectivity, trusted digital public infrastructure and the ability of people across the country to benefit from digital services.
- Which infrastructure investments and partnerships would best strengthen Armenia’s regional connectivity while improving digital access across the country?
- How can Armenia build an interoperable digital public infrastructure ecosystem that delivers accessible and trusted services?
- How can Armenia develop as a regional digital-services hub while preserving an open Internet and ensuring that the benefits reach all communities?
Moderator:
Kristine Gyonjyan – “Union of operators of Armenia” NGO, Director
Speakers:
- Himmat Singh Sandhu – World Bank, Digital specialist
- Albert Toneyan – “Internet Society” NGO, Bord Vice-Chair, Armenian internet traffic exchange foundation, president
- Amir Soleimani – Cloud & Infrastructure at EdgeSimplify, Head of Network
- Shant Kassardjian – ISAA, manager of the cybersecurity team
15:30 - 16:00
Coffee Break
16:00 - 17:10
AI, Data Protection and Digital Trust: A Multistakeholder Approach
The expanding use of AI in public and private services in Armenia presents new challenges related to personal data protection, privacy, transparency, accountability, and public trust.
- What approaches can be used to foster innovation in the field of artificial intelligence (AI)?
- How can the responsible and transparent development and use of AI be ensured while upholding the principles of human rights protection?
- What are the key challenges identified in discussions on emerging and ongoing economic issues, and what solutions are being proposed to address them?
Moderator:
Gevorg Hayrapetyan – Personal data protection expert
Speakers:
- Tatevik Grigoryan — UNESCO, associate programme specialist for digital transformation and policies (online)
- Dmitry Kuteynikov — RKS Global, PhD, Chief Legal Officer, Researcher in AI Governance & Regulation (online)
- Artur Papyan — CyberHUB-AM, Co-founder, media expert
- Armen Virabyan — EasyPay, Deputy CEO & CFO
17:10 - 17:30
Wrap up
From Dialogue to Action
Q&A
Organizers
Partners
