American company SpaceX has received approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin testing a new “Starfall” return capsule designed to deliver cargo from space back to Earth, AzerNEWS reports.
Day: June 2, 2026
Armenia opens its first AI factory
Armenia has officially inaugurated its first artificial intelligence factory. Eleveight AI built the facility in the village of Gagarin in the Gegharkunik region. At present, it is the first AI factory in the South Caucasus to use NVIDIA Blackwell B300 technology.
The company invested $70m in the first phase of the project. It plans to invest a further $50m by the end of 2026.
Developers expect the advanced infrastructure to create new opportunities for businesses, start-ups, research and education.
The AI factory complies with NVIDIA Reference Architecture standards. As a result, international technology companies and research teams can move their projects to Armenia and launch them without facing technical integration challenges.
During the opening ceremony, Armenia’s Ministry of High-Tech Industry and Eleveight AI signed a memorandum of understanding.
“The AI factory lays one of the cornerstones of Armenia’s future economy. With this project, Armenia becomes not only a consumer and user of advanced technologies, but also a producer and supplier for the global market,” said Mkhitar Hayrapetyan..
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Key facts about the AI factory
The facility is designed to support large-scale AI computing and provide digital solutions for both the public and private sectors.
The factory currently operates with 512 graphics processing units (GPUs). At present, it runs on 1.2 MW of power. The company plans to increase capacity to 5 MW in the next phase and eventually to 35 MW.
According to the company, this expansion will:
- significantly increase the factory’s computing capacity;
- accommodate thousands of next-generation AI processors;
- establish a regional AI infrastructure hub.
To support local talent and promote scientific innovation, Eleveight AI plans to allocate 20% of the factory’s total computing capacity to projects run by Armenian universities and research centres.
The project relies on a sustainable and environmentally responsible model. The infrastructure operates under a Zero Chemical Footprint approach, which uses natural cooling solutions instead of chemical-based systems.
Eleveight AI also owns solar power facilities that provide the factory with a high degree of energy independence and operational autonomy.
Armenia’s Ministry of High-Tech Industry has published photographs of the new AI factory
Eleveight AI aims to put Armenia on the global technology map
According to Arman Aleksanyan, computing power has become “strategic infrastructure” in the age of artificial intelligence. He argues that Armenia should not merely adapt to these changes but should also help shape them.
“We created Eleveight AI with exactly this goal in mind: to build world-class artificial intelligence infrastructure in the region and secure Armenia’s place on the global technology map,” he said.
A public-private partnership
Armenia’s Ministry of High-Tech Industry says the memorandum signed with Eleveight AI aims to develop the country’s AI ecosystem, foster innovation, build capacity and support practical applications.
The agreement envisages efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into public administration and develop cloud services for both the public and private sectors.
The memorandum identifies several areas of cooperation, including:
- support for AI start-ups, research teams and innovative initiatives;
- implementation of educational and professional development programmes;
- strengthening scientific and technological capacity;
- expansion of high-performance computing infrastructure;
- promotion of pilot and applied AI projects.
“The parties also plan to establish the Artificial Intelligence Virtual Institute (AIVI) as a platform for cooperation. It will support the development of educational programmes, professional communities, research groups and innovative initiatives,” the ministry said.
The memorandum also provides for activities aimed at increasing the international visibility and reputation of Armenia’s AI sector. These include joint events with foreign partners, professional forums and pilot projects.
‘We must turn Armenia into a garden of AI factories’
According to Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, the countries that create “gardens of AI factories” will hold the competitive advantage in the 21st century. Armenia, he said, aims to rank among the leaders and become the region’s own “garden of AI factories”.
“That means creating an ecosystem where high-performance computing infrastructure, AI models, laboratories and innovative companies can thrive.”
Hayrapetyan argued that Armenia’s competitive strengths lie in its human capital, engineering culture, global Armenian network and ability to make fast and effective decisions.
He stressed that the government’s role is to create favourable conditions for investment, develop energy and digital infrastructure, train specialists and give Armenian start-ups access to modern computing resources.
The minister said the government will soon begin discussions with state institutions and technology-sector stakeholders to determine how part of the available resources can meet specific needs within Armenia.
“Eleveight AI should not only export computing resources. It should also provide cloud services to Armenian companies, particularly those that urgently need such resources. Demand for them is growing every day,” he said.
Armenia opens its first AI factory
Trump’s peace drive and Aliyev’s leadership paved way for $8B deals, says Orr Latest news from Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is emerging as a key bridge connecting Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Türkiye and Europe through a growing network of cross-border energy projects, Orkhan Zeynalov, Deputy Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan, stated during a panel discussion at the 31st Baku Energy Forum, AzerNEWS reports.
Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has presented his annual report to parliament, outlining the government’s key foreign policy and economic priorities. The report places particular emphasis on restoring relations with the United States, advancing European integration, supporting Ukraine and assessing the country’s economic performance.
● The government says restoring its strategic partnership with the United States remains one of its key foreign policy priorities. According to the report, Tbilisi is engaged in active political dialogue with Washington aimed at reviving the strategic partnership that was suspended under the previous US administration. The authorities argue that a new bilateral agenda should reflect the interests of both countries and pave the way for the full resumption of cooperation.
● The report also highlights cooperation with the European Union. According to the government, Georgia continued implementing commitments related to its EU integration agenda during the reporting period. In August 2025, the Commission on European Integration approved both the action plan for the current year and the previous year’s progress report. The government also prepared new reports and action plans, including documents detailing Georgia’s implementation of commitments undertaken in cooperation with the European Commission.
The report’s authors argue that, despite ongoing security challenges, Georgia continued to cooperate with the EU in the areas of foreign and security policy. The government presents this process as part of the country’s broader path towards European integration.
● Ukraine also features prominently in the foreign policy section of the report. According to the government, Georgia continued to provide political and diplomatic support to Ukraine, as well as humanitarian assistance. The report states that Georgia supported or co-sponsored around 850 resolutions, decisions and declarations related to international efforts opposing Russian aggression. It also says Georgian representatives made more than 380 national statements on various international platforms.
The government further highlights its participation in activating the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism, its accession to the founding convention of the International Claims Commission for Ukraine, and its involvement in a range of international initiatives. According to the report, Georgia continued supporting Ukrainian citizens residing in the country through social and educational programmes, while humanitarian assistance to Ukraine included the delivery of generators.
● In the section on regional policy, the report focuses on strengthening Georgia’s role in the Black Sea region. The government argues that the country’s strategic location has become increasingly important for the EU’s connectivity agenda. According to the report, this role is also reflected in a number of EU strategic documents.
● On the economic front, the government says Georgia maintained macroeconomic stability despite geopolitical tensions and external economic challenges. According to the report, the country’s economy grew by 7.5% in 2025, which the authorities describe as one of the strongest performances internationally.
The report also states that, following Georgia’s acquisition of EU candidate status, the government’s main economic objective is to prepare the economy for eventual EU membership. The authorities argue that economic policy in the coming years should serve that goal. For now, the annual report has been submitted to parliament in written form. Kobakhidze is also expected to present it in person, although the date of the parliamentary hearing has not yet been announced.
Georgian PM’s annual report
On June 2, 2026, British Chamber of Commerce Azerbaijan (BCCA) Sustainability and Energy Committee in partnership with PwC Azerbaijan hosted an event dedicated to renewable energy transition in Azerbaijan. The event gathered representatives from government agencies, leading energy companies, and international financial institutions to discuss the current state and prospects of Azerbaijan’s renewable energy sector, AzerNEWS reports.