U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ personal envoy has arrived in Iran as part of a regional tour aimed at supporting efforts toward a comprehensive and durable resolution to the Iran war, and is also expected to visit key mediator Pakistan, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

Jean Arnault will hear Iran’s perspectives on the way forward and reiterate Guterres’ commitment to supporting a peaceful settlement, according to a U.N. statement.

Arnault also called on all leaders to choose the path of peaceful resolution and the protection of civilians, the statement said.

The State Revenue Committee (SRC) continues the deep modernization of the tax and customs systems by combining digitalization, international integration, and the use of artificial intelligence. The goal of these processes is to create a fast, predictable, and reliable environment that will support business development and increase Armenia’s investment attractiveness.

Within the framework of the Doing Digital Forum 2026, SRC Chairman Eduard Hakobyan spoke to Armenpress and addressed the substance of the ongoing reforms and the expected outcomes.

Armenpress: The SRC has now entered a phase where it is actively working toward the digital integration of tax and customs systems with other countries. In practical terms, what does this process involve, which countries are the priority targets, and what final outcome is expected?

Hakobyan: In recent years—and especially since 2025—the exchange of information for tax purposes has been carried out electronically, making the process significantly faster and more efficient. A specially encrypted system has also been launched with the tax authority of the Russian Federation, which is planned to be extended across CIS countries.

At the same time, as a member of international organizations, Armenia has aligned its information exchange systems with international standards, ensuring their security and reliability. In 2025, the work carried out in this area was completed with high evaluations, significantly enhancing Armenia’s reputation as a reliable partner.

The digitalization of the automatic exchange of financial account information has also been successfully implemented, in line with international standards. In 2025, automatic information exchange took place with 47 countries.

In terms of digital integration of tax systems, there are plans to create a unified, integrated system for document exchange among economic operators engaged in cross-border trade. All required documents and their exchange will be fully automated and converted into electronic format. Essentially, a single shared database of exchanged documents will be established. The system is envisaged to be created for the member states of the EAEU, with the possibility of including other countries in the future.

Digital integration is a key component of the “digital customs” model and implies not merely the digitization of paper-based processes, but real-time synchronization of data between states. This enables risk assessment to be conducted before goods reach the border, allowing compliant businesses to complete border crossings within minutes.

Regarding the integration of customs information, it is planned to introduce the provision of advance data on foreign economic activity (FEA) transactions, in order to make subsequent procedures faster and more efficient. In the initial phase, this process will involve Armenia’s neighboring countries—Georgia and Iran—with which it shares land borders. Later, it may also be extended to FEA conducted via air transport.

Armenpress: The increased transparency in international taxation is often perceived as a challenge for businesses. In your view, what advantages will compliant taxpayers and foreign investors gain as a result of these reforms, and how will this transform Armenia’s attractiveness?

Hakobyan: In today’s business environment, competitiveness is impossible without adopting international standards. Armenia is consistently developing its tax system by expanding double taxation avoidance agreements, implementing transfer pricing mechanisms, and introducing tools aligned with international standards for resolving tax disputes. The first advance pricing agreement has also been concluded, which is considered one of the key instruments of tax transparency.

All of this creates a predictable and reliable environment, enhances the country’s investment attractiveness, and ensures clear rules of the game for businesses. Another important direction is the development of mutual recognition with EAEU countries, which contributes to simplifying import and export processes.

Armenpress: The digitalization of the customs sector implies a significant acceleration of border crossing procedures. What specific digital tools or solutions will most effectively reduce the time and financial costs for businesses engaged in foreign trade?

Hakobyan: The digitalization of the customs sector makes it possible to significantly accelerate all border crossing and customs clearance processes, reduce time and financial costs for businesses, and ensure greater predictability. The State Revenue Committee of Armenia has already introduced—and plans to further implement—a range of digital solutions that cover the entire process chain, from the submission of preliminary information to the release of goods.

One of these solutions is the “Single Window” system, which allows businesses to submit all required data to various government agencies through a single platform.

Another planned solution is the Pre-arrival Processing system, which enables the submission of cargo information before it reaches the border.

Among the key tools are also AI/ML-based risk management systems, as well as a unified customs account, which will allow all customs payments to be made online through a single account.

In addition, there are plans for the full digitalization of operations at land border crossing points, including the automation of border procedures such as:

automatic identification of vehicles integration of weighing and scanning systems automatic data exchange with other government agencies

An electronic queue management system (e-Queue) for outbound traffic from Armenia is also part of the planned solutions. Its implementation is expected to eliminate congestion and queues at exit points and increase the predictability of the process.

The combined implementation of these solutions is expected to accelerate, simplify, and improve the management of the entire process, while significantly reducing both time and financial costs for businesses engaged in foreign trade.

Armenpress: The SRC is already applying AI tools in tax administration, and their introduction in the customs sector is also planned. What results have already been recorded, and which specific problems will AI address in customs processes?

Hakobyan: AI tools are already being used in tax administration to identify high-risk taxpayers. The system analyzes large volumes of data and detects anomalies, which then serve as a basis for planning audits.

In the customs sector, it is planned to introduce a “smart” risk management system that will analyze not only individual transactions but also the entire history of the economic operator.

AI will also be used for preventive purposes—flagging potential errors and risks in advance—as well as in the analysis of X-ray images.

Armenpress: What steps does Armenia need to take to become a technological and logistics hub, and what is the role of the State Revenue Committee (SRC)?

Hakobyan: Recently, the State Revenue Committee (SRC) has implemented a number of important reforms, including automated customs clearance, electronic notifications, 24/7 export operations, and a comprehensive modernization of risk management systems. I have already discussed the planned digital customs reforms in previous answers.

In the near future, customs and logistics centers will be established in Yerevan and Syunik, combining all services in a single location and reducing clearance times. At the same time, the Agarak and Bagratashen border points are being modernized to increase their capacity.

These measures are aimed at creating a fast, efficient, and technology-driven environment that will strengthen Armenia’s position as a regional logistics hub.

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On April 8, Yerevan will host the Doing Digital Forum (DDF), the premier event for digital transformation and financial technology, for the fourth consecutive year. Under the theme “Bridging Platforms and Economies,” the forum will bring together top local and international experts, business leaders, and public sector decision-makers.

The forum is organized by SPRING PR Company, with Visa serving as the Innovation Partner, imID as the Digital Identity Partner, aeda as the Blockchain Partner and Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine as the Industrial Transformation Partner, and Freedom Broker Armenia as the Investment Partner.

Since its launch in 2023, the DDF has brought together more than 60 distinguished speakers and over 3,000 participants from Armenia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the UAE, Germany, Australia, and CIS countries.

Doing Digital Forum (DDF) 2026 has kicked off in Yerevan, bringing together top local and international experts, business leaders, and public sector decision-makers. The premier event for digital transformation and financial technology is being held under this year’s theme, “Bridging Platforms and Economies.”

Tatevik Simonyan, co-founder of SPRING PR, the forum’s organizer, highlighted in her opening remarks how geopolitical and economic shifts are breaking old connections, and how digital technologies are becoming key to creating new economic “bridges” in this rapidly changing world.

“For the fourth consecutive year, we are coming together around the same idea—discussing the digital world. Since its launch in 2023, the forum has brought together more than 60 distinguished speakers and over 3,000 participants from various countries and continents. In 2023, we talked about how digital transformation is the number-one imperative of our time, anticipating the events and epic changes without which it is now impossible to imagine the functioning of many sectors. In 2024, we redefined and reaffirmed the need to keep pace with these rapid transformations and, in some ways, even to harness them. In 2025, the forum’s central theme focused on one of the most influential and complex phenomena shaping human history—money and its future—which was discussed in the context of all possible scenarios. This year, the theme of DDF 26 perfectly reflects our overarching concept: “Bridging Platforms and Economies,” said Simonyan.

Tatevik Simonyan emphasized that humanity is living in a period when geopolitics is being reshaped “before our eyes”, and the “tectonic shifts” taking place are changing not only the balance of power but the very logic of connections between economies.

“The bridges that have connected the world for centuries or decades are literally burning today. Economic ties are breaking, logistics chains are being reorganized, and traditional routes are being closed or redefined. If old connections are destroyed and bridges burned, then who, where, and how will build the new ones? One of the most modern and powerful answers is digital: today, digital technologies are changing not only business but also the ways economies are interconnected, building new bridges. These changes are occurring amid global competition, economic fragmentation, and rapid technological progress,” Simonyan said.

According to the co-founder of SPRING PR, over the years, the forum’s themes, areas of discussion, participant geography, and speakers have evolved, but the emphasis has remained the same: positioning Armenia as an innovative hub for digital transformation.

“Today, this mission takes on a new emphasis because we are not only talking about a digital hub but also about Armenia as a new bridge—a bridge that can connect not only regions but also different economic systems, financial flows, and technological ecosystems,” Simonyan added.

Armenia’s tech innovations are being showcased at the Japan IT Week international exhibition in Tokyo.

For the first time, the Armenian Ministry of High-Tech Industry is taking part in the event with a unified ARMENIA stand.

Leading Armenian companies are part of the delegation and will showcase the achievements of the country’s technological ecosystem.

Armenian Ambassador to Japan, Monica Sargsyan, will attend the opening ceremony.

As part of the exhibition, the Armenian delegation is presenting the latest developments in Armenia’s technological ecosystem, including government support programs, successful public-private partnership initiatives, and promising projects, as well as innovative solutions, products, and services offered by Armenian technology companies.

Participation in Japan IT Week aims to establish new business ties with key players in the sector and expand the scope of cooperation, the Ministry of High-Tech Industry said in a press release. 

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday said Armenia welcomes the “crucial decision” between the United States and Iran to cease all hostilities.

“Armenia welcomes the crucial decision between US & Iran to cease all hostilities. We also commend the mediation efforts, including those of Pakistan & firmly believe that diplomacy should prevail to resolve all outstanding issues & preserve peace in the Middle East,” Pashinyan said in a statement on X.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the agreement late on Tuesday, just two hours before a deadline he had set for Iran to open the blockaded Strait of ‌Hormuz or face the destruction of its “whole civilisation”.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had invited Iranian and U.S. delegations to meet in Islamabad on Friday for talks. 

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Kotayk region to get acquainted with programs implemented in various settlements, the PM’s Office said in a readout.

The Prime Minister’s first stop was the secondary school in Mrgashen, Nor Hachn community. It was renovated under the Government’s “300 Schools to be Built, Renovated or Reconstructed by 2026” program. The total cost of construction amounted to 248 million 514 thousand drams. The school is designed for 303 students.

In the same community, Pashinyan also visited the pepper greenhouse of the “Nuvo Vilaj” company in Nor Geghi. Within the framework of the “Support to the Development of Greenhouse Farms in the Republic of Armenia” program, the Government supported the establishment of a 5.2-hectare greenhouse. The project was implemented with a loan of about 2 billion 640 million drams, with a full interest subsidy of 10%.

The Prime Minister then visited a kindergarten in Bujakan, Nairi community. The facility, designed for 90 children, was renovated under a subsidy program. The total cost amounted to 470 million 180 thousand drams, 70% of which—about 329 million drams—was financed by the Government.

In Charentsavan, the Prime Minister was briefed on the reconstruction of a 2-kilometer road of republican significance leading to the Bjni Fortress historical and cultural reserve. The project cost 104 million drams. Pashinyan highlighted the importance of the road in promoting tourism and increasing visitor flows.

He also toured the rose greenhouse of the “Pion” company in Fantan, established under the same state support program with approximately 3 billion drams in loan funding.

In Qaghsi, Hrazdan community, the Prime Minister visited a renovated secondary school implemented within the “300 Schools” program. The project cost 377 million 880 thousand drams and the school is designed for 403 students.

Pashinyan then visited the “Alternative” youth center in Aghavnadzor, Tsaghkadzor community. Under a grant program, a 300-square-meter area was renovated and equipped. The total cost was 36 million 983 thousand drams, 59% of which—about 21 million 708 thousand drams—was provided by the Government.

In Abovyan, the Prime Minister toured a newly built kindergarten in Balahovit. The project cost about 165 million 544 thousand drams, with 70%—approximately 115 million 881 thousand drams—funded by the Government. The facility is designed for 70 children.

In Nor Gyugh, Akunk community, he reviewed another newly built kindergarten designed for 90 children. The total cost amounted to about 263 million 144 thousand drams, of which 70%—around 184 million 200 thousand drams—was financed by the Government.

Finally, the Prime Minister visited the V. Karapetyan Secondary School in Dzoraghbyur, Jrvezh community, renovated under the “300 Schools” program. The project cost exceeded 205 million drams and the school is designed for 259 students.

Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan paid tribute to Mircea Lucescu, the Romanian football manager who passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday.

Lucescu was the manager of Shakhtar Donetsk when the former Armenian international played there.

“Mister, you were one of my very first coaches – the one who gave me the opportunity to grow and begin my international career. I will forever be thankful to you for giving me the chance to live what I had dreamed about since I was a boy. Thank you for your guidance, your trust, and for helping shape the player and the person I am today. Football has lost a true gentleman and a true visionary of the game. Rest in peace, Mister. You will always hold a very special place in my heart. My heart is crying,” Mkhitaryan said on social media, posting a photo with Lucescu holding his number 22 Shakhtar Donetsk jersey.