RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan participated in the opening of the 4th Global Forum "Against the Crime of Genocide" today in Matenadaran at the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts named after Mesrop Mashtots.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia made a speech in which he stated:

"Dear Mr. President,

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

Dear guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I welcome you to the fourth Global Forum, "Against the Crime of Genocide," in Yerevan, which this year is dedicated to preventing genocides in the context of new technologies. The next Global Forum organized by Armenia was supposed to take place in December 2020, but, unfortunately, it was impossible to hold it not only because of the pandemic but, first of all, because of the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against the people of Nagorno Karabakh.

The consequences of that aggressive war have not been overcome to this day; moreover, in May and November of last year and on September 13-14 of this year, the sovereign territory of Armenia was attacked by Azerbaijan, as a result of which gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law took place, including the loss of life. Law, prohibition of torture, property, and treatment of prisoners.

The Armenian people faced new security threats, which were not eliminated until now. This situation is the result of a long process when the spread of extreme hatred towards Armenians and the consistent development of military capabilities eventually turned into using force.

It should be noted that the approach to solving foreign political problems with the use of force, manifested by the outbreak of new wars and conflicts in different corners of the world, indicates the crisis of the global security system. Force has always been an important factor in international relations. Still, no international system can be based solely on the principle of "force begets right" because, as we know, there is always sometime substantial gear than the strong. Even a prolonged war cannot record the final exact balance of forces.

Without universal norms of peaceful coexistence, international law, and red lines that do not obey double standards, the world cannot regain peace and development. It is also evident that after the current crisis of multilateralism, we need to redefine international relations and find a new consensus for the coexistence of peoples. It is difficult to predict today what all the elements of that international consensus will be. Still, it is evident that the inadmissibility of genocides and ethnic cleansing, religious and national discrimination and hatred, their prevention, and the protection of human rights, including group and collective rights, should become one of the pillars of that consensus.

Just like a person, a person has the right to life, and security, in the literal sense of the word - to live safely and to control their destiny. No one, no power, can take away these collective and natural rights from them.

From this point of view, today and here, the work of this forum, the presence of all of you, and the generation of new ideas in preventing genocide are vital.

Dear attendees,

In the last two decades, the international community, represented by the United Nations, has done a lot of work to create new capacities and mechanisms for the prevention of genocide.

In 2004, one of the essential steps to ensure the prevention of genocide was the establishment of the position of the special adviser of the UN Secretary-General on this matter and the creation of the office, which has gained a lot of experience over the years. Many of the documents developed by it are guidelines for the prevention of genocide for the UN member states. We are grateful to Ms. Alice Wairimu Nderitu for her participation in this conference and continued cooperation.

Speaking about the structures dealing with genocide prevention, I would like to emphasize that the UN Human Rights Council plays a significant role in this matter. I am glad to note that the Chairman of the Council, the head of the Permanent Representation of Argentina in Geneva, Ambassador Federico Villegas is with us today.

The work of other UN bodies is also essential, including special procedures, independent investigation mechanisms, and treaty bodies.

I want to emphasize the role played by the "Prevention of Genocide" resolution initiated by Armenia and presented every two years within the framework of the Human Rights Council in preventing genocide. The solution contributes significantly to ensuring the applicability of the provisions of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide and forming the relevant normative foundations. It is a unique action plan that outlines the following steps, goals, and actions in this regard while drawing attention to risks and challenges. Among such challenges, the resolution adopted in March 2022 listed the use of new technologies and their risks.

The UN Security Council has a unique place in the prevention agenda because using timely and effective measures by this structure can create an adequate opportunity to prevent genocides.

I should also mention that the Global Action Against Mass Atrocities (GAAMAC) Alliance, which Armenia has joined as a partner, is a very effective cooperation format. This alliance, whose current president, Mrs. Silvia Fernández de Gourmendi, is also with us today, is a platform of states, civil society, and academic institutions that aims to fight mass crimes.

I also express my special thanks to our permanent partner, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, for their active participation in the work of the Global Forum and their constant support.

Dear Colleagues,

The 21st century and the development of new technologies could not but have their influence on the Genocide prevention agenda. Today, new challenges have been faced, and new tools have appeared to advance the genocide prevention agenda. In the framework of this forum, I'd like to invite all of you to discuss the fight against using new tools for evil and effective mechanisms for using them for good.

In conclusion, I wish us all an exciting and productive exchange of ideas. And may there never be people on our planet who will face the scourge of genocide."