Zareh Sinanyan
Education
Zareh Sinanyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia, in 1973 and attended the local school No. 172.
He and his family immigrated to the United States in 1988 and settled in Burbank, California. Sinanyan attended the John Muir Middle School in Burbank and went on to graduate from Burbank High School. In 1997 he earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and history at the University of California, Los Angeles. He then attended law school at the University of Southern California, where he obtained his Juris Doctor. While in law school, Sinanyan worked for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and interned for Justice Earl Johnson of the California Court of Appeal. After his graduation from law school, he entered civil litigation service, working for several law firms.
Professional
In 2006, Sinanyan was appointed to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission of Glendale, California, and held this position until 2008. He was also appointed to and served on the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee from 2008 through 2013. He served as chairman to the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee from 2009 through 2011.
In April 2013, Sinanyan was elected to the Glendale City Council. He was the first Armenian-born politician elected in the United States, and as a Council Member in Glendale, which is home to the largest concentrated Armenian diaspora community in the world. From April 2013 through April 2014, and from April 2017 through April 2018 he served as Chairman of the Glendale Housing Authority, he was also the founding Chair of the Glendale Economic Development Corporation.
Sinanyan served as Mayor of Glendale from April 2014 through April 2015, and April 2018 through June 2019.
From May of 2017 through June of 2019 Sinanyan served as Chair of Eco-Rapid Transit rail authority and President of Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority. From March 2017 through June of 2019 Sinanyan served on the Metropolitan Water District Board and Southern California Association of Governments Board of Directors.
On June 14, 2019, Sinanyan was appointed to serve as the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. He has been living in Armenia since then.
Other
Political Affiliation
Non-partisan
Marital Status
Sinanyan is married, he has one daughter and three sons.
News and announcements
Zareh Sinanyan Attends Official Reception Hosted by Nice City Hall
17 December 2024
Zareh Sinanyan, RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, participated in an official reception organized by Mayor Christian Estrosi and the City Council of Nice in honor of his visit.
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Zareh Sinanyan Attends Anniversary Celebration of Barsamian Armenian School in Nice
17 December 2024
Zareh Sinanyan, RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, who is currently on a working visit to France, participated in the 38th-anniversary celebration of the Barsamian Armenian school in Nice.
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Zareh Sinanyan Speaks at the French-Armenian Forum in Paris
16 December 2024
As part of his working visit to France, RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Zareh Sinanyan, participated in the French-Armenian Forum held in Paris.
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Zareh Sinanyan Meets with French-Armenian Youth
16 December 2024
The working visit of Zareh Sinanyan, RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, to France is ongoing.
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Zareh Sinanyan Meets with Daniel Kurkdjian and Aspen Institute France Representatives
16 December 2024
Zareh Sinanyan, the RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, currently on a working visit to France, met in Paris with Daniel Kurkdjian, President of the Council of French Armenians and Honorary President of Grant Thornton Armenia.
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Zareh Sinanyan Speaks at DigiTech 2024
07 October 2024
Zareh Sinanyan, RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, participated as a speaker in the "DigiTalks" discussion held during the "DigiTech 2024" technology exhibition, focusing on the theme "Development of Science and Tech Leveraging the Extensive Diaspora Network."
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Summary of the Second Day at the Global Armenian Summit
20 September 2024
Maira Myrogianni, Secretary General for Public Diplomacy and Greeks Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, delivered the opening speech at the second Global Armenian Summit organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs.
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First Day of the Global Armenian Summit Concludes
18 September 2024
The second Global Armenian Summit, organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, is currently taking place in Yerevan.
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Meeting with Rev. Father Archimandrite Nshan Hmayakyan
30 January 2024
Zareh Sinanyan, the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, recently held a meeting with Rev. Father Archimandrite Nshan Hmayakyan, the General Prelate at Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka’s General Prelacy.
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A New Year's Message from Zareh Sinanyan, High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
31 December 2023
Throughout 2023, the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs remained steadfast in its commitment to fostering healthy dialogue, nurturing mutual trust, and upholding shared responsibilities, all aimed at actively engaging the Diaspora in our Homeland’s endeavours.
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Zareh Sinanyan meets with representatives of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party-Ramgavar
17 October 2023
Zareh Sinanyan, the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, met with Alexan Karadanaian, the Deputy Chairman of the Central Department of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party-Ramgavar, Hrachya Karapetyan, the Chairman of the Republican Department of the Party, and Karen Kakoyan, the Deputy Chairman of the Department.
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Zareh Sinanyan participated in the DigiTec 2023 exhibition
16 October 2023
Zareh Sinanyan, the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, visited the largest technological exhibition in the region, "DigiTech 2023". This year, the exhibition was held under the theme "Tech Fusion: Connecting ideas, Transforming industries". The main focus of DigiTech 2023 was the influence of technology on different aspects of the economy and social life, ranging from education to medicine.
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The High Commissioner meets with the AIWA Representatives
03 October 2023
On October 3rd, RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan met with the President of the Armenian International Women's Association (AIWA) Silva Katchiguian, Board member Tsoleen Sarian, and representatives of the organization Ani Aivazian and Anni Barsoum.
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Launch of the “Diaspora Youth Ambassador” Programme 2023-2024
27 September 2023
The “Diaspora Youth Ambassador” programme for 2023-2024 has officially launched with the arrival of participants in Armenia. This programme is presented by the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs.
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Zareh Sinanyan meets with Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia
26 September 2023
On September 26, the RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Zareh Sinanyan, met with Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, newly appointed Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Armenia.
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A khachkar dedicated to the Armenian-Polish relations was opened in Poland
27 June 2023
During his visit to Poland, High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan in Zabrze participated in the opening ceremony of the khachkar dedicated to the 655th anniversary of the archbishopric of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Poland and centuries-old Armenian-Polish friendship. The opening ceremony was attended by RA Ambassador to Poland Samvel Mkrtchyan, RA Honorary Consul in Zabrze Hrachya Boyajyan and others.
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New Year speech from RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan
30 December 2022
2022 is coming to a close. This year, our homeland faced serious security challenges, all the while staying committed to its independence and democracy and continuing on the path to progress and development.
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High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan's message on the occasion of the 107th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
24 April 2022
Today, all Armenians commemorate and pay tribute to the memory of millions of innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide.
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Video: High Commissioner's Interview with Armenian Public TV
26 Fabruary 2022
High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan provides an update on Armenian communities in Ukraine, his recent trip to France, Armenia-Diaspora relations and repatriation in an interview with Armenian Public Television.
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Video: iGorts Professionals at the Ministry of Environment
25 Fabruary 2022
“We have high hopes that, at least minimally, we will be able to implement positive changes in our state system,” said High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan.
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