2.36 billion people worldwide are still not online. Currently, there are 5.56 billion internet users, and this number could significantly increase with the use of national alphabets on the internet.
Armenia is also a member of the global “Universal Acceptance” movement, which aims to achieve this goal, represented by the “Internet Society” NGO. As part of this movement, an international conference was held in Yerevan on March 28, in celebration of International Day of Universal Acceptance.
“We have been working on the development of the Armenian-script .հայ domain for over 10 years. We have developed and launched the technical solutions for the domain, and today our team is also testing the use of Armenian-script email,” said Kristina Hakobyan, Board Vice Chair of the Internet Society NGO.
At the international conference, Alexey Sandikov, Deputy of the National Assembly of Armenia, expressed the opinion that state bodies should not delay in implementing Universal Acceptance (UA), as the internet has become the primary platform for global cultural, educational, and informational interactions. According to him, the domains representing the National Assembly and MPs will soon join the over 900 domains already registered under .հայ.
“This initiative is also important for the Diaspora. Today, the preservation and future of every language and culture depend on how widely they can be used on the Internet. Therefore, the Armenian-language network is a crucial tool for preserving national identity. Through the continuous development of the Armenian-language digital environment, we not only increase access to information but also strengthen our digital sovereignty,” emphasized Nelly Ghulyan, Advisor to the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of RA, viewing Universal Acceptance as an issue of broad and strategic significance.
