In 2025, the Institute of Economics named after Mikael Kotanyan of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA) celebrated its 70th anniversary. The international conference titled “Issues of Innovative Economic Development and Strategic Management” took place from September 15–17, 2025, marking this milestone.
The plenary session of the three-day conference was held on September 15 in the session hall of the NAS RA Presidium. The conference was opened by Yuri Suvaryan, Academician-Secretary of the NAS RA Division of Armenian Studies and Social Sciences, Doctor of Economics, and Professor. In his opening remarks, Suvaryan congratulated the institute and briefly highlighted its scientific achievements and contributions over the past 70 years.
Meri Manucharyan, Director of the Mikael Kotanyan Institute of Economics, Candidate of Economic Sciences, and Associate Professor, welcomed the conference participants. She noted that the institute’s 70-year history represents decades of experience, a powerful flow of ideas, and a pantheon of scholars whose work has laid the foundation for Armenia’s economic policy. She expressed special gratitude to representatives of collaborating institutions from Armenia and abroad (Bulgaria, Belarus, Russia, France, Romania), some of whom traveled to Yerevan specifically to share in the celebratory moment. “Our goal is not only to hold academic discussions but also to develop concrete, practical proposals to unlock Armenia’s innovative economic potential and enhance the efficiency of its management,” Manucharyan emphasized. She added that the institute’s founders and predecessors, including V. Harutyunyan and others, would be proud to see their work continued, developed, and recognized internationally. Manucharyan also thanked university rectors and former institute director D. Harutyunyan for attending the jubilee event.
The institute’s anniversary was celebrated with speeches and presentations by colleagues from Armenia and abroad, including:
– Mikhail Golovnin, Director of the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Corresponding Member, and Doctor of Economics;
– Denis Mukha, Director of the Institute of Economics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Candidate of Economic Sciences, and Associate Professor;
– Tamara Vardanyan, Director of the Yerevan Branch of the Plekhanov Institute of Economics, Candidate of Historical Sciences;
– Vyacheslav Korostelev, Director of the Institute of Agrarian Problems of the Saratov Scientific Center, Candidate of Economic Sciences;
– Karen Petrosyan, Director of the Gyumri Branch of the Armenian State University of Economics, Candidate of Economic Sciences, and Associate Professor;
– Virginia Zhelyazkova, Head of the International Economics Research Department at the Institute of Economic Studies, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Economic Sciences, and Professor;
– Tatyana Teterinets, Scientific Secretary of the Institute of Economics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Candidate of Economic Sciences, and Associate Professor;
– Artyom Pilin, Leading Researcher and Head of the Bilateral Relations Department at the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Candidate of Economic Sciences, and Associate Professor;
– Natalia Yakovenko, Chief Researcher at the Institute of Agrarian Problems of the Saratov Scientific Center, Doctor of Economic Sciences, and Associate Professor;
– Irina Ivanenko, Chief Researcher at the Institute of Agrarian Problems of the Saratov Scientific Center, Candidate of Economic Sciences, and Associate Professor;
– Anton Voronov, Junior Researcher at the Institute of Agrarian Problems of the Saratov Scientific Center.
On September 16–17, over 30 valuable scientific reports were presented at the Mikael Kotanyan Institute of Economics, sparking discussions, Q&A sessions, and exchanges of ideas among senior and younger researchers. The conference provided a prestigious platform for researchers from Armenia’s economic universities to share new ideas, discuss structural economic challenges, and collaboratively explore solutions.
On September 17, Yuri Suvaryan concluded the conference, wishing the institute continued success, effective utilization of its potential, and new achievements.
Following the conference, Meri Manucharyan and institute staff accompanied international guests to the Matenadaran, the world’s largest repository of Armenian manuscripts and national memory. The guests were particularly impressed by the “Msho Charentir,” the largest parchment manuscript, and its historical journey. They also explored Armenian national cuisine and witnessed the traditional lavash baking ceremony.