The President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, has proposed that Tanzania and Armenia collaborate to establish a technology training center in the country. This initiative would leverage Armenia’s expertise to expand opportunities for young people to acquire modern skills and foster innovation.
President Dr. Mwinyi made these remarks on October 15, 2026, during a meeting with the President of the Republic of Armenia, H.E. Vahagn Khachaturyan, at the Presidential Palace in Yerevan, Armenia.
President Dr. Mwinyi is in the country to represent the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, at the World Leaders’ Summit on Biodiversity (COP17).
He emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in education and facilitating student exchanges, ensuring that Tanzanian youth can benefit from Armenia’s expertise.
Regarding the tourism sector, President Dr. Mwinyi noted that Tanzania and Armenia have opportunities to strengthen collaboration to attract more tourists.
He highlighted that Tanzania possesses unique attractions, including wildlife on the Mainland, as well as beaches and a rich historical and cultural heritage in Zanzibar.
Regarding diplomatic relations, President Dr. Mwinyi has proposed that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries prepare a memorandum of understanding to establish a consultation mechanism between the two governments, and also organize the first consultative meeting.
Furthermore, President Dr. Mwinyi conveyed an invitation from President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for President Khachaturyan to visit Tanzania at a time convenient for him.
Addressing the biodiversity conference (COP17), President Dr. Mwinyi emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation and fulfilling commitments to fund the conservation of the environment and natural resources. He noted that Tanzania has dedicated nearly one-third of its territory to conservation—a contribution toward preserving biodiversity for the benefit of its own citizens and the world at large.
He highlighted the importance of building the capacity of nations and ensuring they benefit from the utilization of their genetic resources. He commended Armenia for hosting COP17 and expressed Tanzania’s readiness to collaborate with the country in advancing this agenda.
For his part, the President of the Republic of Armenia, H.E. Vahagn Khachaturyan, stated that Armenia is prepared to strengthen relations with Tanzania—including Zanzibar—identifying tourism as one of the areas with potential for cooperation.
Additionally, President Khachaturyan pointed to higher education and modern technology—specifically artificial intelligence—as further areas for developing this partnership. He stated that Armenia has allocated 50 scholarships at its higher education institutions for students from African countries, and invited Tanzania to take advantage of these opportunities, as well as student exchange programs. He also mentioned that Armenia has established an artificial intelligence center in collaboration with the company NVIDIA.
The discussions were also attended by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Hon. James Kinyasi Millya; the Ambassador of Tanzania to Russia—who also represents Tanzania in Armenia—Hon. Fredrick Ibrahim Kibuta; and various officials from the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
President Dr. Mwinyi is expected to participate in the official opening ceremony of COP17 today at the Karen Demirchyan Complex, and later attend a dinner hosted by his host, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Hon. Nikol Pashinyan.
