The Innovation Performance Review of Armenia continues the series of national assessments of innovation policies initiated by the earlier Reviews of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. These policy advisory exercises draw on the experience accumulated by the UNECE in the identification of good practices and policy lessons in the area of knowledge-based development, with particular reference to the problems of countries with economies in transition.

This Review presents the outcomes of an advisory project undertaken at the request of the Government of Armenia. It aims to provide a set of recommendations and policy options to stimulate innovation activity in the country, enhance its innovation capacity and improve the overall efficiency of the national innovation system. Close collaboration with the national authorities and other experts from Armenia throughout the project has helped in identifying issues of practical importance and in ensuring the relevance of the Review conclusions and recommendations to national circumstances.

The Review provides a comprehensive assessment of the factors that drive innovation, paying particular attention to the linkages and relations between the different components and actors of the national innovation system. This integrated approach is well suited to the complexities of innovation and reflects a broad understanding of the challenges faced by policymakers.

This Review was made possible by the generous financial support of the Eurasian Development Bank.