ArmInfo.The second Public Sector Innovation Forum on the topic: Innovation in Action: Leading Change and Transformation organized by the UNDP (United Nations Development Program), within the framework of the Mayors for Economic Growth Facility initiative funded by the EU, took place in Yerevan today.
For the second year in a row, the forum brings together representatives of the public, private sectors, civil society, international organizations and embassies on one platform.
In a conversation with journalists on the sidelines of the event, Tigran Tshorokhyan, UNDP in Armenia's Innovation and SDG Finance Portfolio Lead, noted that today's forum signified the launch of establishment of an innovation community in Armenia, where innovative methods will be developed to more intensively implement reforms in the field of public administration. In other words, this will allow us to make more effective decisions, overcome challenges and transform the economy, making it more competitive.
Answering a question from ArmInfo, he noted that one of the main components for community's establishing will be the formation of an ecosystem of innovation, since efforts made today in the direction of innovative development are fragmented as of today. In this regard, the UNDP representative referred to Armenia's position in the Global Innovation Index. According to Mr. Tshorokhyan, Armenia ranks 82nd among 132 countries in this Index, gradually worsening its position since 2013, when it ranked 62nd. The descending graph of the index, as he noted, is associated with the low quality of human capital. "This means that we should pay even more attention to the development of human capital, their knowledge and skills, aspirations, flexibility, interest, determination," Mr. Tshorokhyan said.
He also noted that the current situation is not due to gaps and shortcomings, but is primarily due to the fact that an innovation ecosystem was not formed in a timely manner. Therefore, according to Mr. Tshorokhyan today UNDP will try to form an appropriate environment and ecosystem where everyone can maximize their potential and innovative thoughts to solve problems. This program to establish an innovative community and ecosystem will be implemented by UNDP and partners for 10 years.
Mr. Tshorokhyan today refused to talk about the initiative's budget, noting that negotiations are still underway with various partners regarding funding. "I hope that in the near future we will present a wide list of partners," he concluded.
Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG) Facility is a part of the Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG) initiative, launched and funded by the European Union since 2017 aiming to encourage local authorities in Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries to use innovative development methods that are both fair to all, and friendly to the environment. In line with continuous capability development, the Facility is going to provide funding opportunities for local authorities, and the communities will develop and implement their own innovative solutions to stimulate and accelerate local development.
