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 met with the British Armenian Lawyers' Association members
08 December 2023
Zareh Sinanyan convened with the British Armenian Lawyers' Association representatives at London's "Hay Tun" Center.
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The High Commissioner met with representatives of the British Armenian community
08 December 2023
During his London visit, High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan convened with members of the British Armenian Community Council and the Armenian community representatives at the "Hay Tun" Center. Varuzhan Nersesyan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, also participated in the meeting.
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Visit to K. Tahta Armenian Community Sunday School in London
08 December 2023
High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan paid a visit to the K. Tahta Armenian Community Sunday School in London, where he held discussions with director Ruzanna Tatulyan and members of the board.
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The High Commissioner visited Hayashen and the Armenian Institute in London
07 December 2023
During his working trip to London, High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan visited the Centre for Armenian Information and Advice (Hayashen) where he met with CEO Misak Ohanian and board members. They showcased the center's activities, programs catering to diverse age groups, archival resources, and publications to the High Commissioner.
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Zareh Sinanyan met with Armenian students of the Oxford University
02 December 2023
While visiting the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan engaged in a meeting with Theo Maarten van Lint, the head of the Armenology Department at Oxford University, and Armenian students. Additionally, graduates of the university participated in the meeting remotely.
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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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The High Commissioner participated in the consecration ceremony of the Armenian church in Tyumen
19 June 2023
High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan in the Russian city of Tyumen participated in the ceremonies of consecration of the Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Mesrop Mashtots, opening of the square and monument of the Russian-Armenian friendship named after Marshal Baghramyan. During the events, the delegation of the Government of the Republic of Armenia was headed by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan. The ceremony was also attended by Governor of the Tyumen region Aleksandr Moor, representatives of regional and city authorities.
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The khachkar symbolizing century-old Armenian-Polish friendship opened in Yerevan
17 May 2023
The ceremonial opening and consecration of the khachkar dedicated to Pope John Paul II and century-old Armenian-Polish friendship took place in the Khachkar Park (Pavstos Buzand Street, Yerevan). The solemn event was attended by Authorized representative of the government for Diaspora and Poles Abroad, Secretary of State Jan Dziedziczak, High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Zareh Sinanyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Paruyr Hovhannisyan, Honorary Consul of Armenia in Poland Hrachya Boyajyan, spiritual fathers, government officials.
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The High Commissioner is on a working visit to Germany
08 May 2023
High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan is on a working visit to Germany. In Munich, he toured the "Anush" dance and culture center, met with Head of the center Anush Chakhalyan and its members, got acquainted with the activities and problems. Then the High Commissioner participated in the cultural event dedicated to the International Dance Day organized by the center and highly appreciated their patriotic activities.
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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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Zareh Sinanyan received Ernest Arustamyan, member of the Engineering Academy of Armenia
18 November 2022
The High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs received Ernest Arustamyan, President of the Nonprofit European Investment Financial Group and member of the Engineering Academy of Armenia.
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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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ArmGov Highlights Our Office's Repatriation Work
10 January 2022
Repatriation is quickly becoming a daily trend in Armenia. Particularly encouraging is seeing entire families make the move together.
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