Statement by Araksya Babikyan, Attaché, Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN, at the UNGA 76 / Second Committee

05 October, 2021

Madam Chair,

At the outset, we would like to congratulate you and the members of the Bureau on your election and wish you all success in leading the activities of the Second Committee. You can rest assured of full cooperation and support of the Delegation of Armenia in delivering your mandate.

The ICTs have been playing an increasingly fundamental role for sustainable development by shaping new models of exchange of information, knowledge and innovation. Digital technologies havе contributed to resilience of our societies and economies and mitigating the impacts of the pandemic in the conditions of the global lockdown by providing platforms for dissemination of information on the coronavirus disease, infection monitoring, online provision of public and social services, remote work of businesses, online education in schools and universities to name a few. The pandemic has clearly demonstrated the imperative of access to sustainable and affordable ICTs, open Internet and digital connectivity for reducing inequalities, promoting inclusion and enabling realization of economic and social rights.

Modernization of Armenia’s economy with particular emphasis on advancing ICT’s, fostering innovation and creative education are the cornerstone of our development agenda. The Programme of the Government of Armenia for the years of 2021-2026 has set clear targets and benchmarks to promote the development of high-tech industry. To develop technical and business skills, promote technological entrepreneurship and attract foreign investment the Technology Centers in cities of Vanazdor and Gyumri were founded by the Government and World Bank. With a Consortium of Private Companies, the Government is also working on a project of “Engineering City” in Yerevan which would be environment created for engineering companies in the high-tech sector with the purpose of facilitating and accelerating the development of complex engineering solutions. “Sevan Seaside Startup Summit” is yet another successful platform where venture capital, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from different parts of the world can meet and create new ideas.

Armenia is home to the creative educational centers such as “TUMO” center for creative technologies that is designed for teenagers where they are introduced to science, technology and engineering in creative environment. Expansion of “TUMO” centres beyond the borders of Armenia to other cities, such as Paris, Beirut, Tirana, Moscow, and Berlin is an indicator of success of this model of creative education.

Women and girls are still underrepresented in the field of science, technology and innovation and deprived of fully enjoying the benefits of digital technologies. Armenia prioritizes stronger engagement of women and girls in STEM both at national and global level. As a leader of the Generation Equality Forum Action Coalition for the “Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality”, Armenia is committed to implementation of the Forum’s Global Acceleration Plan, which among other actions envisages by 2026 reducing by half the gender digital divide across generations by accelerating meaningful access to digital technologies and universal digital literacy and doubling the proportion of women working in technology and innovation by setting up new networks and benchmarks to transform innovation ecosystems.

Madame Chair,

We thank the Secretary-General for his reports, submitted under agenda items 17 and 22 and the recommendations contained therein, which reflect on the role of the ICT in the context of response and recovery from the global crisis, and the impact of science, technology and culture on sustainable development.

The pandemic aggravated the challenges that culture and related sectors were facing. As a landlocked middle-income country with rich and diverse cultural background Armenia welcomes UNESCO’s efforts to support countries and communities in harnessing culture to promote sustainable livelihoods, adaptation of the cultural sector to the digital transformation, promotion and respect for cultural diversity as well as UNECSO’s commitment to protect culture as a foundation for peace and countering attacks against culture.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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