Today, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia Zhanna Andreasyan attended the opening of the 83rd session of the Governing Board of the International Science and Technology Centre (ISTC), held in Yerevan at the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.
The Minister highlighted the importance of hosting the session in Armenia, noting that this is the third time the country has hosted a meeting of the Centre’s Governing Board.
“This meeting provides an important opportunity to assess the results of our joint work and identify future cooperation priorities in light of scientific and technological advances and emerging security challenges. The true value of scientific progress lies not only in generating new knowledge but also in using it to promote human well-being, peace and security,” Andreasyan said, emphasising that this principle is central to Armenia’s science development strategy and aligns with the ISTC’s mission.
Armenia–ISTC Cooperation: Key Achievements
As stated by the Minister, Armenia has been a member of the ISTC since 1994. Since then, approximately 200 research projects worth more than USD 50 million have received funding in Armenia, while around 4,000 pieces of scientific equipment valued at approximately USD 5 million have been provided to research institutions.
Currently, approximately 12 projects across various scientific and technological fields are being implemented at Armenian higher education institutions and research organizations with the Centre’s support.
The Centre has also enabled around 400 Armenian scientists to participate in international conferences, training programs and other scientific events. Approximately 100 conferences and seminars have been organized in Armenia, while research conducted with the Centre’s support has contributed to around 250 academic dissertations.
The Minister also highlighted the practical outcomes of international partnerships, noting that Armenian scientists have implemented approximately 20 joint projects with leading foreign research centres and international organizations. These have included research aimed at addressing the consequences of the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan.
Emphasizing the importance of translating scientific findings into practical applications, the Minister noted that 10 commercialization projects had been implemented with the Centre’s support, resulting in the creation of approximately 60 new jobs.
“This once again demonstrates that scientific cooperation can contribute not only to the generation of knowledge but also to economic development and tangible benefits for society,” the Minister emphasized.
The interconnection between science and security
Addressing the relationship between science and security, Zhanna Andreasyan noted that biological and nuclear safety, climate change, resource management and the development of advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, require scientifically grounded solutions and close international cooperation.
“We believe that scientific progress must always go hand in hand with responsibility, while the development of new technologies must be guided by a clear commitment to their peaceful and safe use,” the Minister stressed.
Reforms under way in Armenia’s science sector
In this context, Zhanna Andreasyan outlined the ongoing reforms in Armenia’s science sector, presenting the 2026–2030 Strategic Program for the Development of Science, approved by the Government of Armenia in January 2026.
The program’s key objectives include building an internationally competitive research system, modernizing research infrastructure, developing human capital and expanding the practical application of scientific results.
The 12 priority areas identified in the strategy include artificial intelligence, biotechnology, energy, space technologies and other advanced scientific and technological fields.
State funding for science has tripled over the past five years
The Minister reported that state funding for science had increased approximately threefold over the past five years, while more than AMD 20 billion had been allocated to modernize research infrastructure.
Under the relevant programs, funding has been secured for more than 250 pieces of equipment for 34 public higher education institutions and research organizations, while the acquisition of 165 major scientific instruments and pieces of equipment is also planned.
As a notable example, Zhanna Andreasyan highlighted the supercomputing centre established at Yerevan State University, equipped with 72 NVIDIA H100 graphics processing units (GPUs).
Developing human capital in science
Addressing human capital development in the science sector, the Minister noted that programs designed to attract researchers from abroad had brought more than 40 scientists to Armenia. A further approximately 60 researchers remotely lead research groups and units established within Armenian research organizations.
Building a Competitive Research Environment
According to Zhanna Andreasyan, the reforms aim to establish a modern research environment in Armenia that fosters the generation of new knowledge and the development of solutions with practical applications.
The Minister emphasized that the ongoing reforms in Armenia’s research system, combined with the International Science and Technology Centre’s international expertise and extensive partnership network, could complement one another and create new opportunities for joint research and scientific and technological initiatives.
She reiterated Armenia’s commitment to maintaining active participation in ISTC programs by expanding joint research, increasing the involvement of early-career researchers and strengthening international partnerships.
Making effective use of scientific potential
“I am confident that this session in Yerevan will open up new opportunities to strengthen our partnership, advance joint initiatives and make more effective use of our scientific potential. Science can become a powerful instrument for peace, security and sustainable development when knowledge is combined with responsibility and international cooperation delivers practical results,” Zhanna Andreasyan concluded, thanking the Centre’s leadership and partners for their longstanding and productive cooperation.
Minister invites delegates to science events held within the framework of COP17
The event was also attended by International Science and Technology Centre Executive Director Karina Angelieva; Chair of the ISTC Governing Board Dr Ronald Lehman; President of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia Ashot Saghyan; and Deputy Chair of the Higher Education and Science Committee Lilit Mkrtchyan.
International partners thanked Armenia for hosting the 83rd session of the ISTC Governing Board, its continued and productive cooperation with the Centre, and its efforts to advance joint initiatives.
In turn, Zhanna Andreasyan invited the international partners to participate in the science-focused events being held in Armenia as part of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17). She highlighted these events as an opportunity to expand scientific cooperation, exchange expertise and establish new partnerships.