RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Vahram Dumanyan received today USAID Mission Director for Armenia John Allelo. Deputy ESCS Minister Arthur Martirosyan also attended the meeting.

The Minister congratulated John Allelo on his appointment as Director of the USAID Mission in Armenia and wished him productive work. According to Vahram Dumanyan, the US Agency for International Development is developing important activities in our country, and the Ministry is willing to advance the cooperation in the fields of education, culture, and youth.

Director of the USAID Mission for Armenia John Allelo, in turn, underlined that the ESCS Ministry coordinates a number of important sectors for Armenia and has recorded much success within this frame. He also noted the existence of certain challenges in these sectors, expressing confidence that as a result of joint programs, common goals, and efforts, relevant progress will be recorded, since there is dedication, willingness, and will to overcome the risks.

ESCS Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan pointed out the programs on which the parties can advance the cooperation. In particular, a reference was made to the USAID-funded program “Strengthening Inclusive Education System in Armenia which supports the ESCS Ministry to achieve the goals and outcomes outlined on the path of universal inclusiveness. The Deputy Minister emphasized the possible cooperation in the scope of the USAID Youth participation program, and also highlighted the importance of combining efforts in the field of cultural tourism, referring in this context to the “My Armenia” cultural tourism program implemented with the assistance of USAID. Arthur Martirosyan also touched upon USAID cooperation in the frame of the “Armenia Workforce Development” program, noting the importance of training specialists and replenishing personnel in the agricultural sector.

The parties also touched upon possible cooperation with the US Agency for International Development in the context of the program budgeting process carried out by the Ministry, its risk management, and the accountability system.

At the end of the meeting, Vahram Dumanyan informed that the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports has presented the draft of the “State Program for Education Development of the Republic of Armenia by 2030 for public discussion, emphasizing the active engagement of all stakeholders in the mentioned process.