For Immediate Release
September 25, 2007

ARMENIA FUND TO CELEBRATE 15TH ANNIVERSARY AT THE UNITED NATIONS

1992-2007: Celebrating 15 years of nation-building in Armenia and Karabakh

NEW YORK, New York — The year 2007 marks the 15th Anniversary of Armenia Fund, an institution created after Armenia’s independence and mandated with the vital task of uniting all Armenians around the world to direct efforts toward development and revival of the nation. To recognize and thank the Diaspora for its 15 years of continuous support to Armenia and Karabakh, Armenia Fund will hold a 15th Anniversary Gala Banquet at the United Nations on October 6, 2007, at 7 pm. To celebrate shared achievements, prominent representatives of the Armenian-American Diaspora, supporters and friends, dignitaries, business and community leaders will be present. The evening will feature a keynote address by His Excellency Vartan Oskanian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and a Trustee of Armenia Fund. The evening will honor those who have worked and contributed to Armenia’s development through Armenia Fund. The program will feature unique performances by the Shushi Dance Group and stories from the field. Armenia Fund USA Chairman Raffi Festekjian will speak about the Fund’s programs for the next several years.

The banquet will take place at the United Nations in New York. This venue symbolizes Armenia Fund’s own efforts to link the communities around the world, for the purpose of helping to secure peace and prosperity in Armenia. This gala precedes the Armenia Fund annual telethon which will take place on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2007.

With Armenia’s independence, the Fund became the mechanism through which Armenians around the world were able to deliver aid to meet immediate humanitarian needs. The Fund played a crucial role in the reconstruction process of the earthquake zone. Immediately thereafter, in 1996, the Armenia Fund took on a national challenge – to build a road that would link Armenia to Karabakh. With that road successfully completed, the Armenia Fund went further to consolidate life in Karabakh by constructing a North-South Highway to connect communities within Karabakh.

Just two years ago, the Armenia Fund transformed its programs from strictly humanitarian activities to development work. Through its affiliates across the globe, it has touched countless lives in Armenia and Karabakh by combining aid, development and direct investment. Armenia Fund has engaged Armenia’s leaders, its people and the worldwide Diaspora to promote education, create jobs, improve public health and develop infrastructure, among other critical humanitarian needs. Today, Armenia Fund’s contributions to social and economic prosperity of Armenia and Karabakh are unequalled.

The 15th Anniversary of Armenia Fund is a celebration of the past, present and future of the Armenian people. It is a celebration of overcoming challenges by working together. Above all, it is a celebration of humanity, courage and hope.

Over the past 15 years, Armenia Fund has invested more than $170 million in sustainable development in Armenia and Karabakh. Armenia Fund has evolved over the years into an institution that has an unprecedented track record for affecting change. In recognition of its development work, Armenia Fund was accredited to the United Nations in Spring, 2006.

Join Armenia Fund as it celebrates the tenacity of the Armenian people and strength of the Armenian Diaspora! Call 1-866-446-6237 for tickets and reservations or visit our website at www.armeniafundusa.org

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: founded in 1992, was one of the first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 19 international affiliates and serves constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all Armenian constituents. Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 19 international affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh. The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.

To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, please visit our website at
www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org or call us at 212-689-5307.

Armenia Fund USA
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 301
New York, NY 10038