Science can be a powerful tool for peace, security and sustainable development, Armenian minister says at ISTC Governing Board session

Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Zhanna Andreasyan, attended the opening of the 83rd session of the Governing Board of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) at the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.

According to a press release issued by the ministry, Andreasyan stressed the importance of holding the session in Armenia, noting that this was the third time the country had hosted a meeting of the center’s Governing Board.

“This meeting is an important opportunity to take stock of the results of our joint work and identify future cooperation priorities, taking into account advances in science and technology and emerging challenges in the field of security. The true value of scientific progress is measured not only by the creation of new knowledge, but also by how that knowledge serves human well-being, peace and security,” Andreasyan said, adding that this principle, which underpins Armenia’s science development strategy, is consistent with the activities of the International Science and Technology Center.

The minister noted that Armenia has been a member of the organization since 1994. Over the years, approximately 200 research projects have been funded in Armenia, with a total value of more than $50 million, while scientific organizations have received approximately 4,000 pieces of scientific equipment worth around $5 million.

Currently, approximately 12 projects in various scientific and technological fields are being implemented at Armenian universities and research organizations with the center’s support.

With the center’s support, approximately 400 Armenian scientists have participated in international scientific conferences, training programs and other scientific events. Around 100 conferences and seminars have been organized in Armenia, while the research conducted has served as the basis for approximately 250 scientific dissertations.

The minister also addressed the practical results of international partnerships, noting that Armenian scientists had implemented around two dozen joint projects with leading scientific centers abroad and international organizations, including research aimed at addressing the consequences of the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.

The minister emphasized the importance of the practical application of scientific results, noting that 10 commercialization projects had been implemented with the center’s support, resulting in the creation of approximately 60 new jobs.

“This once again demonstrates that scientific cooperation can contribute not only to the creation of knowledge, but also to economic development and the delivery of tangible results for society,” Andreasyan emphasized.

Speaking about the interconnection between science and security, Andreasyan noted that biological and nuclear security, 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 be accompanied by responsibility, while the development of new technologies must have the clear objective of ensuring their peaceful and safe application,” the minister stressed.

Andreasyan also addressed the ongoing reforms in Armenia’s science sector, presenting the 2026–2030 Strategic Program for Science Development, approved by the Armenian government in January 2026.

Its key objectives include building an internationally competitive scientific system, modernizing research infrastructure, developing human capital and expanding the practical application of scientific results.

The 12 priority areas defined by the strategy include artificial intelligence, biotechnology, energy, space technologies and other leading scientific and technological fields.

The minister reported that state funding for science had increased approximately threefold over the past five years, while more than 20 billion drams had been allocated to modernize research infrastructure.

Under the programs, funding has been secured for more than 250 devices and pieces of equipment for 34 state universities and scientific organizations. The acquisition of 165 major pieces of scientific equipment has also been planned.

As a notable example, Andreasyan highlighted the supercomputing center established at Yerevan State University, equipped with 72 NVIDIA H100 graphics processing units.

Addressing human capital development in the science sector, the minister noted that programs to attract scientists from abroad had brought more than 40 scientists to Armenia, while approximately 60 others remotely lead research groups and units established within Armenian scientific organizations.

Andreasyan stressed that the aim of the ongoing reforms is to establish a modern scientific environment in Armenia, fostering the creation of new knowledge and the development of solutions with practical applications.

The minister emphasized that the reforms underway in Armenia’s scientific system and the International Science and Technology Center’s international expertise and extensive partnership network could complement one another, creating new opportunities for joint research and the development of scientific and technological initiatives.

The minister reaffirmed Armenia’s readiness to continue actively participating in the International Science and Technology Center’s programs by expanding joint research, the involvement of young scientists and international partnerships.

“I am confident that this session in Yerevan will open up new opportunities to strengthen our partnership, develop joint initiatives and make more effective use of 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,” Andreasyan concluded, thanking the center’s leadership and partners for their longstanding and effective cooperation.

The event was also attended by International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) Executive Director Karina Anguelieva; the center’s Governing Board Chair, Dr. Ronald F. Lehman II; President of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia Ashot S. Saghyan; and Deputy Chair of the Higher Education and Science Committee Lilit Mkrtchyan.

The international partners thanked Armenia for hosting the 83rd session of the International Science and Technology Center’s Governing Board, for its effective and continued cooperation with the center, and for its efforts to implement joint initiatives.

Andreasyan, in turn, invited the international partners to participate in science-focused events scheduled within the framework of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), currently taking place in Armenia. She emphasized that these events offer an opportunity to expand scientific cooperation, exchange experience and establish new partnerships.

Andreasyan also met with ISTC Executive Director Karina Anguelieva. The parties discussed opportunities to develop the center’s activities, modernize its governance system and expand cooperation with Armenia.

Welcoming Anguelieva, Andreasyan highly praised the longstanding and effective partnership between Armenia and the International Science and Technology Center, emphasizing Armenia’s active involvement in the center’s activities.

The minister noted that the development of science and research is among the priorities of the Armenian government and that the reforms underway in the sector are aimed at developing Armenia’s scientific potential, expanding the country’s engagement in international research platforms and establishing new partnerships.

Anguelieva presented recent developments in the center’s activities and the work being carried out to modernize its governance system.

The parties reaffirmed their readiness to continue cooperation and develop joint research initiatives.