This article scientifically examines the role of innovation policy in accelerating regional socio-economic development. In the context of globalization and digital transformation, it emphasizes that third-generation policies aligned with regional innovation systems (RIS) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a key factor in ensuring economic growth. The study is based on systematic literature review (SLR) methodology and analyzes a number of research works published in recent years in the Scopus, Web of Science, and ResearchGate databases. The results indicate that innovation policy, as exemplified by the European Union (S3 strategies) and China (MLP programs), increases GRDP by 5-15%, enhancing employment and competitiveness, although institutional constraints and polarization risks persist in less developed regions. The conclusion demonstrates that the effectiveness of the policy depends on R&D investments and university-industry collaboration. Among the recommendations are increasing subsidies and introducing flexible conditions, while future research should focus on developing countries.