Minister Robert Khachatryan participated in the 8th Armenian Internet governance forum

On November 3, the 8th Armenian Internet Governance Forum (ArmIGF) 2023 started, organized by the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, “Internet Society” and “Internet Society Armenia Chapter” NGOs.

At the opening of the forum, the Minister of High-Tech Industry of the RA Robert Khachatryan delivered a welcome speech.

The Minister addressed a number of issues related to Internet governance, emphasized that the representatives of the public, non-governmental and private sectors are involved in the discussions of the forum.

“The Internet has taken over the whole world today. And in this context, digital transformation is now an inevitable process. In this regard, one of the priorities of the Armenian government is the creation of a modern digital environment, the provision of accessible, affordable, reliable, safe, high-quality and competitive services based on knowledge and technologies in all spheres of state administration, aimed at the development of the Armenian economy and the improvement of the quality of life of the population.

In order to achieve this goal, the Government’s five-year plan clearly outlines measures such as: introducing a modern identification system, digitizing public services, ensuring their online access, increasing the digital literacy of the population and promoting the use of digital tools, providing electronic communication of the state and local self-government bodies with legal entities and citizens, and a number of other programs.

The digital transformation in Armenia has recently gained new momentum, there is a lot to be done and it requires the active participation of all of us,” said Robert Khachatryan.

The participants of the forum were also welcomed by the External Relations Officer of RIPE NCC Vahan Hovsepyan, the Head of Global Stakeholder Engagement for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Mikhail Anisimov, Chairman of the Board of the “Internet Society” NGO Igor Mkrtumyan, Internet Society’s Senior Director for European Government and Regulatory Affairs David Frautschy.

They talked about the importance of the event, digitalization in Armenia, state policy in the field of telecommunications, the problems that have arisen and the possibilities of their solution. Panel discussions followed.

Vice President of the National Assembly of the RA Hakob Arshakyan, Minister of High-Tech Industry of the RA Robert Khachatryan and the Secretary of the Council Board of Information Systems, Director of the “Agency of Information Systems of Armenia” Foundation Nerses Yeritsyan participated in the discussion on “Digital challenges and possibilities: Solutions for Digital Transformation of Society, Government and Economy”.

A number of issues related to digitization, cyber security, public and private sector interaction in the field of telecommunications, coordinated activity of legislative and executive authorities, the functions and role assigned to the Ministry in the 2024 budget regarding digitization, the quality and schedule of works in the presented areas were discussed. Nerses Yeritsyan also presented details about the works and programs implemented by the agency.

Panel discussions continued on “Universal Adoption” as an integral part of the Internet”, “Artificial Intelligence in Education and Learning Processes: Pros and Cons”, “What is WSIS+20: Importance in the Age of Digital Development”, “Global Digital Compact”, “The engagement of the “Internet Society Armenia Chapter” NGO and annual projects”.

The main goal of the ArmIGF forum, which is being held for the 8th time, is to discuss and highlight the current problems, challenges and development prospects related to Internet governance, to outline solution options and opportunities.

The event was initiated by the interdepartmental group “Commission of Internet governance the Republic of Armenia”, which was formed by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia in 2014, in order to develop and present recommendations for solving problems related to Internet governance.