Dear scientists, researchers, representatives of the scientific sector,

Today marks the World Science Day for Peace and Development. It was first celebrated in 2001, with the objective of highlighting the significance that science can have for public development, particularly in terms of contributing to peace and sustainable development.

This underlines not only the significance of engaging in science in general, but also the fact that science is a public institution—one that requires continuous self-reflection on research outcomes, public accountability, and the importance of introducing scientific outcomes and research to the public.

In this regard, the observation of the social and economic impacts of science, and the balanced development of natural and social sciences, are especially crucial, since natural sciences can yield new discoveries. However, it is the studies of the social and psychological impacts of their implementation that can complete the chain and make knowledge equivalent to existing realities. Public and state context and needs should also serve as the basis for scientific research, making it in-demand and significant.

This year’s theme of the World Science Day is “Trust, Transformation, and Tomorrow: The Science We Need for 2050,” which highlights the need to comprehend, articulate, and address the challenges confronting science today. To advance towards the science of 2050, this year we have taken perhaps one of the most important steps by adopting the Law “On Higher Education and Science”, which establishes the institutional frameworks for the sector's development. Most recently, the Strategy for the Development of the Science Sector of the Republic of Armenia for 2026–2030, along with its accompanying action plan, was submitted for public discussion, which will serve to develop research and human potential in modern and progressive directions, train highly qualified specialists to enhance the competitiveness and defense capability of the Republic of Armenia, and strengthen public interest in science.

The state places special significance on the engagement of young people in the scientific field, their advancement, and the full realization of their potential. Special efforts will be made to create and develop value-adding and knowledge-intensive enterprises, both with domestic resources and through foreign direct investment. In recent years, numerous mechanisms have already been launched under the Government's program to encourage the scientific community and enhance the competitiveness of local outputs on various international platforms. To make the state's efforts more visible, I should note that this year, for the 4th consecutive year, a gradual increase in the base state salary for scientific workers who have completed scientific staff qualification was recorded, which exceeded the 2021 figures by 105% to 300%.

160 major grant programs implemented by the state include international leading consultants or group leaders from 32 countries across 5 continents, which indicates that the country's science is in line with international best practices and trends. Another 252 international consultants from 36 countries across 4 continents are engaged in smaller grant programs, which provides the opportunity to transfer world-leading knowledge in Armenia. Scientific organizations continue to be equipped with modern technologies and equipment. I’d like to remind you that 3.4 billion Armenian drams were allocated last year for the creation of a new supercomputing centre and the acquisition of a supercomputer at Yerevan State University. 1.2 billion AMD has already been allocated for 2025 to establish a data centre for its more efficient operation. These are facts that attest to the consistency of state policy.

To make science more accessible and comprehensible, and to spark interest in science, the annual All-School Science Festival was held for the fifth time this year. 250 schoolchildren from Yerevan and the regions of Armenia presented their scientific research within the framework of the festival. Three of the 62 winning projects represented Armenia at the 36th EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) in Latvia. This year, the “Science Week” initiative was once again implemented in collaboration with partners, featuring a wide range of events for the general public, both in Yerevan's Liberty Square and in around 300 schools and kindergartens across the country, aimed to popularize science and technology. School laboratories greatly contribute to fostering an interest in science by providing opportunities to conduct experiments and, through project-based work, to engage in research activities for the first time, guiding children towards further scientific activities. Advanced laboratories are a reality in 800 schools across the republic: next year, they will be in the other schools as well. About forty of our high schools have been working in the fab lab format for the third consecutive year now, supported by international partners and guided by a key methodology for transforming ideas into reality.

We also place significant emphasis on the advancement of Armenian studies. This year, for the second time, the Armenian Studies Congress was held at the Matenadaran, bringing together the world's leading Armenian studies centres, which is truly becoming an important platform for the development of Armenian scholarly thought and the discussion of ideas. The state also continues to fund Armenian studies centers at universities in various countries, turning Armenian studies into a global network involving numerous scholars and students. We also encourage the development of Armenian journals and their integration into international scientific information databases, and we are very happy that this year several journals have already found their place in these databases, while others are on their way. This should also serve as an important pathway to develop science in Armenian. This year, for the first time, we also held a contest for scientific research for the needs of the state, which will substantially enhance the public and economic impact of scientific work.

We constantly face challenges, and the best way to overcome them wisely is to have advanced science. It is a solid guarantee of a strong, growing economy, a robust defense, and a civilized, law-conscious society. The RA Government will continue to promote the advancement of science, and through consistent programs, will contribute to the development of the potential of the scientific community and the enhancement of the competitiveness of scientific output.

Once again, I extend my congratulations to our scientific community and wish them the realization of their boldest ideas. We can find answers to all the questions by collectively addressing the most complex issues.

Happy World Science Day.