Pashinyan: Great goals begin with bold ideas, but become reality through education, knowledge, and hard work

ArmInfo. RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the ceremony of presenting the Armenian State Prize for global contribution to high technologies yesterday. The event was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan, Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan, Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence Davit Tadevosyan, representatives of the legislative and executive branches, and guests.

According to the government press service, Nikol Pashinyan presented the State Prize for Global Contribution to High Technology to Kemu Ghaffarian, co-founder and executive chairman of X-energy, Intuitive Machines, Axiom Space, and Quantum Space.

In his speech, the Prime Minister noted that he was honored to present the State Prize for Global Contribution to High Technology to Kemu Ghaffarian, who has achieved significant success in science, engineering, and technological entrepreneurship. "With this award, we recognize not only technological achievements, but also those individuals whose ideas, courage, and tireless work change humanity's understanding of the boundaries of the possible. Mr. Ghaffarian, your path is one of the best examples. In 1969, as a child, you witnessed the first human steps on the moon. This event inspired you to choose a path in science and space technology. More than five decades later, in 2024, the Odyssey spacecraft, created by your co-founded company, Intuitive Machines, landed on the moon. The lunar landing was the first American spacecraft to land in 52 years. It is an amazing story of how a childhood dream can turn into a global scientific and technological achievement. Your company, Axiom Space, which you co-founded, launched the first entirely private crewed mission to the International Space Station and is currently working on the commercial space station of the future. "Your work also encompasses advanced energy technologies, reminding us of the interconnectedness of various areas of technological progress," the head of government said. He added that human history shows that the greatest achievements often begin with the question: Why not? "Why can't people fly? Why can't they go to the moon? Why can't they live and work in space?" And each such question was followed by scientific research, numerous failures, new discoveries, and, ultimately, success. This is an important message for Armenia as well. We are a small country, but the potential of science, technology, and human resources is not limited by its geographical size. Armenia has rich scientific and engineering traditions. Today, we strive to turn this potential into a key factor in the development of a modern economy, high productivity, and international competitiveness. We are developing artificial intelligence, advanced computing technologies, space activities, and innovative entrepreneurship. Armenia already has experience launching its own satellites into space – ArmSat-1, as well as the HAYASAT-1 satellite, designed and developed by Armenian specialists. However, our goal is not only to utilize foreign technologies. We want Armenian universities, scientists, engineers, and companies to become global creators of technological value, part of and participants in value creation systems. And this is where international cooperation is important. We would like to explore the possibility of cooperation between your companies and Armenian scientific, educational, and technological organizations, which we have already had the opportunity to discuss and even partially agree on. Ultimately, our success should be measured not only by how high we can rise, but also by how much knowledge, opportunities, and new possibilities we create along the way. This award has another important mission. It gives the younger generation of Armenia the opportunity to meet people who, through their work, not only created the future, but also part of that future. "I want every pupil, every student, every young scientist or entrepreneur, as well as government officials following us today, to take away one important message from this story: great goals begin with bold ideas, but become reality through education, knowledge, and hard work. I would like to express my gratitude to the organizers of the award ceremony, the selection committee, and all the partners who have been shaping this important tradition of recognizing scientific and technological progress in Armenia for many years," Nikol Pashinyan concluded.