The name of the 2026 laureate of the Republic of Armenia State Award for Global Contribution to High Technology was announced during a press conference held on October 6. This year, the award was presented to Kam Ghaffarian, engineer and entrepreneur, founder and co-founder of IBX, Axiom Space, Intuitive Machines, X-energy, and Quantum Space.

During the press conference, Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence of the Republic of Armenia Davit Tadevosyan, Viva CEO Armen Avetisyan, and Hovik Musayelyan, Director of Synopsys Armenia, who coordinates the work of the Executive Board of the Award Committee and the International Selection Committee, spoke about the significance of the award, its mission, and this year’s laureate.

Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence Davit Tadevosyan noted that the award has several important missions, raising Armenia’s visibility in the international technology sector and highlighting the country’s role in the global technology agenda.

“It is also extremely important that through this award ceremony, young people have the opportunity to engage with legendary figures and learn firsthand about developments and trends in the sector. The true value of innovations is determined by the positive changes they bring to people’s lives, and this award places particular emphasis on this very idea. I am glad that there are initiatives in Armenia that have continued for 17 years, and I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have supported this unique initiative over the years,” the Minister said.

Viva CEO Armen Avetisyan noted that behind every great achievement there is a person who believed in his idea and had the courage to take the first step.

“We want the children and young people of Armenia to grow up with the same belief in their own abilities. So that, seeing the achievements of global leaders, they think, ‘I can do it too,’ and so that Armenia is a place for them where their talent is needed, their ideas are valued, and the great journey can begin right here. That is why Viva has been supporting this award for 17 years, connecting Armenia with people who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible,” Armen Avetisyan said.

Hovik Musayelyan, Director of Synopsys Armenia, emphasized that Kam Ghaffarian fully embodies the philosophy of the award.

“His remarkable journey, from a child inspired by humanity’s first steps on the Moon to becoming a leader in the field of space exploration, demonstrates how bold vision and innovation can contribute to the advancement of humanity,” Hovik Musayelyan noted.

It was also announced during the press conference that Kam Ghaffarian will visit Armenia in November.

Kam Ghaffarian is a leading figure in the space and high-technology sectors. The company he co-founded, Axiom Space, carries out commercial space missions and projects to develop orbital infrastructure in cooperation with NASA. In 2024, Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus spacecraft made a historic landing in the Moon’s southern polar region, becoming the first American spacecraft to reach the lunar surface since Apollo 17 and the first commercial mission of its kind.

The Republic of Armenia State Award for Global Contribution to High Technology was established by decree of the President of the Republic of Armenia in 2009. The award is presented to individuals whose technological, educational, organizational, or financial contribution has received international recognition and had a significant impact on the advancement of humanity.

The award was initiated and is supported by Synopsys. Viva has been the award’s main partner for 17 years,  the initiative is also supported by the Union of ICT Employers and the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.