site.btaUPDATED President Radev: Bulgaria Is among World's Top 3 Innovation Economies within Upper Middle-Income Group

The latest advancement in digital innovations has enabled Bulgaria to enter the top three innovation economies within the upper middle-income group of countries, showing high input-to-output performance, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said at an event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Monday.

The President did not cite the source of the survey.

According to the Global Innovation Index 2022, Bulgaria does rank second in innovation after China in one of the breakdowns by income group. In the overall ranking, however, Bulgaria ranks 35th out of 132 countries surveyed.

"We are aware that science, technology, innovation, and data are crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We will continue to support international efforts to build an open, free and secure digital world, ensuring universal access to it," Radev said.

The President participated in the 2023 SDG Summit Leaders' Dialogue dedicated to the application of science, technology, education, and innovation in support of development, which was attended by 15 heads of state and government from Europe and around the world, as well as officials of international organisations.

Radev said that Bulgaria's priority at the national level is to become an innovative, smart, green, digital, and connected country.

"Our scientists are among the leaders in important traditional areas like mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, and many others. These strong traditions have facilitated significant growth in a number of high-tech sectors," the President said.

He added that the National Strategy for the Development of Scientific Research has been adapted to transform Bulgaria into an attractive center for cutting-edge scientific research and technology development, thus contributing to the quality of life.

A newly established institute for computer science, artificial intelligence and technology is already attracting leading world scientists to Bulgaria, Radev said.

Rumen Radev is heading the Bulgarian delegation during the high-level week of the UN General Assembly’s 78th session.

Monday ended with a reception marking 50 years of Germany's membership in the UN at the invitation of Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The event was attended by the Bulgarian President and the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mariya Gabriel.

On Tuesday, Radev will hold a meeting with Alexander van der Bellen, the Federal President of Austria, which is one of the two countries opposing Bulgaria's entry into the Schengen area. Bulgaria’s President is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Moldovan President Maia Sandu.

The United Nations is convening the SDG Summit on September 18-19, 2023, at its Headquarters in New York, during the General Assembly high-level week. With the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at midpoint, world leaders will carry out a comprehensive review of the state of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), respond to the impact of multiple and interlocking crises facing the world, and provide high-level political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions towards the target year of 2030.