Diaspora - Zareh Sinanyan

Zareh Sinanyan

Brief information

Position

The High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of RA

Birth year

1973

Place of birth

Yerevan

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

The High Commissioner Visits Armenian Cultural Centers in Buenos Aires

13 November 2024

Zareh Sinanyan, RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, currently on a working visit to Argentina, visited the Marash Compatriots Union in Buenos Aires (Unión Compatriótica Armenia de Marash), where he familiarized himself with the organization's activities and met with its president, Ricardo Vaneskeheian. During the meeting, Zareh Sinanyan presented the plans of the Office and discussed potential areas for cooperation. In turn, the union's representatives shared their ongoing initiatives, including events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the union's founding.

Zareh Sinanyan Meets with Armenian Community Representatives in Buenos Aires

12 November 2024

Zareh Sinanyan, the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of Armenia, met with representatives of the Council of Armenian Institutions of Argentina (Instituciones Armenias de la República Argentina/IARA) during his working visit to Buenos Aires. The meeting, held at the Armenian Embassy to Argentina, included representatives from numerous Armenian organizations across the country.

Zareh Sinanyan Meets with Representatives of the Armenian Community in Córdoba

11 November 2024

As part of his official visit to Argentina, Zareh Sinanyan, RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, visited the Armenian General Benevolent Union (UGAB) office in Córdoba. During his visit, he met with the organization's president, Ariel Vartanian, and board members.

Zareh Sinanyan’s working visit to Argentina

08 November 2024

Zareh Sinanyan, the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, who is currently on a working visit to Argentina, participated in the solemn signing ceremony of a tripartite agreement for the establishment of the TUMO Innovation Center in Buenos Aires.

Zareh Sinanyan Meets with the Representatives of Uruguay’s Armenian Community

05 November 2024

Zareh Sinanyan, RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, is on an official visit to Uruguay.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

New Year speech from RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan

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