European Representative Office

Ara Y. Kazandjian
External Relations Officer
European Representative Office
Asian Development Bank

Ara Y. Kazandjian assumed the position of External Relations Officer at the European Representative Office of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in August 2008.

As an External Relations Officer, Mr. Kazandjian is responsible for supporting the implementation of the media and public relations strategies and programs of the Manila-based multilateral bank in ADB's 17 European member countries. The European Representative Office oversees a wide range of activities including external events, media relations, and public relations outreach to government and nongovernment communities. A key priority is to support ADB's overarching mandate of reducing poverty in the Asian and Pacific Region, which is home to two thirds of the world's poor.

Previously Mr Kazandjian worked as an Outreach and Media Coordinator at the World Institute for Development Economics Research of the United Nations University (UNU-WIDER) in Helsinki from 1995 to 2008, a lead development economics research Institute of the United Nations. He managed all aspects of the promotion and communications activities of the Institute's research output to the worldwide development community including academic, policy, NGO, government and the media. Organized book launches, press conferences, public lectures and other events on a regular basis in Finland and at international venues including the UN headquarters, the World Bank, OECD and other. Designed and managed the production of all publicity and promotion material. He was the co-editor and the designer of the Institute's newsletter WIDER Angle. He also designed and maintained the website up-to-date, which is a key source and database to the publications and research of the Institute.

A Finnish national, Mr Kazandjian has a Masters degree in International Relations from the University of Helsinki and a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from the Finnish Business College.

Ara Y. Kazandjian
Phone: (49) 69 2193 6418
Email: akazandjian@adb.org
Ramhofstrasse 2
60313 Frankfurt am Main
ADB/ERO web site: http://www.adb.org/ero