Pashinyan Shares Vision of a “Real Armenia,” Prioritizing Citizen Well-Being Over Territorial Expansion

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed his strong optimism about the future of the country, despite the challenges it faces. Pashinyan shared his vision of a “Real Armenia,” where the well-being of citizens is prioritized above territorial expansion.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed his strong optimism about the future of the country, despite the challenges it faces. During a visit to Renderforest, an innovative IT company in Yerevan, Pashinyan shared his vision of a “Real Armenia,” where the well-being of citizens is prioritized above territorial expansion. He believes that Armenia has the potential to overcome risks and create a prosperous future by focusing on improving the quality of life within its internationally recognized borders.

Pashinyan’s optimism comes from his current perspective on the country’s path forward. Reflecting on his early years in office following the 2018 "Velvet Revolution," Pashinyan admitted that he had been more uncertain about Armenia’s future back in 2018 and 2019. While he faced many difficult decisions during that period, he now sees a clearer path for Armenia.

“In 2018 and 2019, when I was thinking about the future, I often reached a dead end in my thinking,” Pashinyan stated. However, today, despite acknowledging the numerous risks facing the country, he believes that Armenia can manage these risks and emerge stronger. He emphasized that his current sense of optimism is shaped by the idea that these challenges can be overcome through proper planning and management.

Pashinyan introduced the concept of a “Real Armenia” after the country’s defeat in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) war. This concept redefines Armenia’s priorities, moving away from a traditional view of expanding borders and focusing instead on improving the lives of its citizens. According to Pashinyan, the primary goal of the Armenian state should be to ensure the well-being of its people, with key pillars being freedom, justice, and security.

He made it clear that Armenia’s role is not to serve as a base for enlarging the state but as a tool to provide its citizens with a better life. Pashinyan stressed that well-being is not just about economic growth, but about building an environment where people can thrive in all aspects of life—personally, socially, and professionally. “Well-being is something that is formed by work,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities where work is seen as fulfilling and meaningful.

During his visit to Renderforest, Pashinyan was impressed by the company’s innovative work in the field of information technology. Renderforest is an online platform where users can create videos, graphics, presentations, and websites using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools. The company, which has 26 million users worldwide, operates in 180 countries and attracts 15,000 new users daily. It has secured around $35 million in investments for Armenia, contributing significantly to the country’s economy and global tech presence.

Pashinyan was particularly impressed by the success of Renderforest, noting its international recognition as one of the top 100 programming companies globally, according to the G2 company’s 2019 list. He also visited the “Ardi” Academy, an educational initiative founded by Renderforest to teach digital skills in areas such as IT, marketing, design, and entrepreneurship. This initiative is part of Armenia’s effort to equip its citizens with the skills needed for the digital age.

In his discussions with Renderforest employees, Pashinyan emphasized the importance of the environment in shaping the country’s future. He said that both people and the physical environment around them play a crucial role in shaping their thinking and approach to challenges.

“The environment is the most important thing for any process,” Pashinyan said. He stressed that a positive environment—whether in terms of infrastructure, workspaces, or societal support—can inspire creativity, productivity, and growth. By building an environment conducive to innovation and personal development, Pashinyan believes that Armenia can unlock its full potential.