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In a historic moment for AGBU, Honorary President Berge Setrakian passed the mantle of leadership to Sam Simonian, marking a new era of stewardship for the organization. AGBU Germany’s founders, Hovig Altunkaya and Georgi Ambarzumjan, proudly attended the events in New York City, extending their heartfelt congratulations to both leaders for their inspiring contributions to the Armenian Diaspora.
New York – October 12, 2024
The 93rd General Assembly of AGBU, the world’s largest Armenian philanthropic organization, took place last week in the heart of New York City, marking a momentous chapter in our history. We witnessed the esteemed transition of leadership from Honorary President Berge Setrakian, who devoted nearly half a century to AGBU and the global Armenian community—22 of those years as a transformative President. His visionary leadership and unwavering dedication have left an indelible legacy, propelling AGBU’s reach across continents and inspiring countless initiatives, including the founding of AGBU Germany in 2020. Under his stewardship, AGBU expanded its global presence, nurturing a network of country chapters and Young Professionals groups, each dedicated to serving Armenian communities worldwide.
As we express our deepest gratitude to Honorary President Setrakian for his decades of service, we eagerly welcome President Sam Simonian to lead us into a new era. Renowned as the visionary behind the groundbreaking TUMO tech centers, President Simonian’s focus on innovation and technology is perfectly aligned with both the global landscape and the aspirations of the Armenian people. With his forward-thinking leadership, AGBU is poised to continue its mission of empowering Armenian communities around the world, advancing our shared values, and building a brighter future for generations to come.
Headquartered in Berlin, AGBU Germany is the first German Chapter of the New York-based Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, cultural, and humanitarian programs across the globe. AGBU has an active presence in 32 countries and 75 cities.
AGBU Germany was founded in 2020 in the awareness of its responsibility towards the Armenians in Germany, Armenia, Artsakh, and the Diaspora. Inspired by the unwavering determination of its mother organization AGBU founded in 1906, and in appreciation and recognition of its continuous achievements, the Chapter fits as a German link into the ranks of international AGBU Chapters as well as into the global Armenian nation.
