RA Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Arthur Martirosyan participated in the regular session on Youth Issues of CIS member states.

Representatives of Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and Moldova also participated in the session in a hybrid format.

In his speech, Arthur Martirosyan spoke about youth events held in Armenia in 2021-2022, underlining that they are in tune with the programs of the CIS Youth Council. He also made a reference to the programs aimed at the development of youth skills, the promotion of innovation, and the advancement of volunteerism.

The Deputy Minister presented the preparatory work for Armenia's participation in the events of the international stage of the international youth project of the CIS member states “100 ideas for the CIS”, stating also the details of the procedure of the national stage of the project.

“In 2021, more than 135 applications were submitted for the contest “100 Ideas for Armenia” in 20 nominations, 5 of which became winners. This year 53 applications were submitted in 5 nominations, and 5 best ideas have already been selected. The final stage of the awarding ceremony will be held on November 28, 2022,” noted the Deputy Minister, adding that the best applications of 2021 and 2022 will be sent by Armenia to the final stage of “100 ideas for the CIS”.

Among the issues of the session agenda, the options for getting the status of the “CIS Youth Capital” city for 2024, 2025, and 2026 were discussed. For the status of “CIS Youth Capital” in 2026, on the proposal of Arthur Martirosyan at the meeting of the CIS Council on Youth Affairs it was decided to present the city of Kapan in the Syunik region to the CIS Executive Committee and to submit accordingly for the decision of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS.

Among the supporting arguments presented along with the rich historical and cultural heritage, the availability of appropriate infrastructures, it was emphasized that in October 2021, a regular meeting of the CIS Youth Council was held in Kapan, as the youth capital of Armenia. Syunik Municipality also hosted the international stage of the “100 Ideas for the CIS” youth project in the same year, the participants of which left Kapan greatly impressed.

Regarding the action plan for 2023-2024, according to the Deputy Minister, the work carried out by the RA ESCS Ministry provides for the participation of the youth of the CIS partner countries in a hybrid format.

He also noted that Armenia won 1 gold and 3 silver medals at the 16^th CIS Youth Delphic Games in Dushanbe.

During the meeting, the annual cooperation programs within the framework of the CIS Youth Affairs Council and Youth Policy were presented for the current years. There was a reference to the upcoming joint events, the objective of which will be the development of youth volunteering, the implementation of innovative ideas, actions to enhance the activity of regional youth and a number of other issues.