Yerevan, (ARMENIA) – Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Ms. Roseline K. Njogu, CBS, has called for inclusive, transparent and responsive engagement forums that build trust and enable diaspora communities to contribute actively to national development, as she underscored Kenya’s growing diaspora diplomacy during an official visit to Armenia.
Speaking at the Global Armenian Summit 2026 in Yerevan, during a high-level panel discussion themed “International Cooperation: The Global Diaspora Agenda,” PS Njogu said the diaspora should not be viewed merely as a source of remittances but as a strategic partner in national development, a reservoir of skills, expertise, innovation, investment and global networks.
She showcased Kenya’s milestones in diaspora engagement, including policy formulation, inclusion of the diaspora in democratic processes, Mobile Consular Services(MCS), evacuation and repatriation of citizens in times of crisis, and access to government services through the eCitizen platform. Emphasizing that trust is the foundation of meaningful diaspora engagement, she urged governments to establish forums that build confidence and allow diaspora communities to participate fully.
The panel, moderated by media personality Ms. Astghik Sargsian, featured Dr. Martin Russell of the Diaspora Institute, Ireland, and H.E. Zareh Sinanyan, Armenia’s High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs. Panelists also responded to questions from diaspora participants.
Earlier, PS Njogu attended the opening ceremony of the Global Armenian Summit 2026, graced by H.E. Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, and H.E. Zareh Sinanyan. The summit provided an interactive platform for participants to engage the Prime Minister on diaspora-related matters and broader national issues, fostering dialogue on diaspora engagement, national development and international cooperation.
Ahead of the summit, PS Njogu held a courtesy meeting with High Commissioner Sinanyan. The meeting was followed by the inaugural session of the Joint Implementation Committee (JIC), established under the Kenya–Armenia Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Diaspora Affairs signed on 18 June 2026 in Nairobi. The session was co-chaired by PS Njogu and the High Commissioner.
Discussions centred on advancing implementation of the MoU and identifying opportunities for collaboration in diaspora engagement, institutional knowledge exchange, youth initiatives and cultural cooperation. Both parties shared experiences and explored practical initiatives to strengthen cooperation between Kenya’s and Armenia’s diaspora communities.
In a separate bilateral engagement, PS Njogu held talks with H.E. Roza Babayan, Deputy Minister of Labour and Welfare of the Republic of Armenia. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, exploring labour mobility opportunities and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships between Kenya and Armenia.
Kenya’s participation in the summit is anchored in the growing bilateral cooperation between Nairobi and Yerevan following the June 2026 MoU, which provides a framework for collaboration, knowledge exchange and the sharing of best practices in diaspora engagement and management.
The visit underscores the State Department for Diaspora Affairs’ commitment to strengthening international partnerships, advancing diaspora diplomacy and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation.