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TEHRAN (Iran News) Mojgan Izadi, an Official in the Chamber of Commerce in Isfahan, in central Iran, said on Wednesday that the dish had been registered on WIPO’s patent list.

Beef, yogurt, sugar, and saffron are ingredients of Khoresht-e Maast, Izadi said.She said food is considered a part of the intangible heritage of any region, adding that obtaining patents for traditional dishes can boost tourism in those areas.

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“The Islamic Republic of Iran, suggests that a program entitled, ‘Science Road’ be defined and initiated by UNESCO to facilitate the free exchange of ideas and knowledge.”

UNESCO may declare its preparation to make use of all its historical and contemporary potential in this respect, the official said in an address to UNESCO’s 42nd Session of the General Conference.

Referring to the UN body’s long attention to historical routes and traveling, Salehi said: “It has always been valuable for us in this Organization to study the history of the cultural and civil exchanges among nations in the form of such roads as the Silk Road, Spice Route, and Salt Road.”

He stated there has always been a road throughout the ages for exchanging knowledge and wisdom, besides having roads for exchanging commercial goods, which can be called the “Science Road”, consisting of a network of roads for scientists and scientific ideas.

“This is the road that has linked the East of the world to the West profoundly and has acted as a messenger of peace and progress linking scientific eminence with eminence in ethics.”

Salehi added the most important message of the history of science for the time being is that the accumulation of science in one civilization and its lack of expansion would reduce the opportunity for prosperity and would result in recession and even digression.

“This road, which is a complex and intertwined network of roads for exchanging science while observing ethical principles, can pave the way for the materialization of an objective which has been explicitly echoed in the preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO, wherein there is mention of free exchange of ideas and knowledge and adding exchange instruments among nations and using them for mutual understanding.”

This way, Iran suggests that a program entitled, “Science Road”, be defined and initiated by UNESCO to facilitate the free exchange of ideas and knowledge, the official said.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the official reminded the attendees of Iran’s strategic location that has endowed the nation with a profound legacy of knowledge exchange.

“This historical backdrop has transformed Iran into a cultural bridge, fostering intellectual and cultural interactions that have transcended borders and civilizations. JundiShapur, the oldest university in the world in the southwest of Iran, can be mentioned here as an example, the 1750th anniversary of whose establishment was acknowledged by UNESCO in 2017.”

This rich heritage of knowledge exchange is not just a relic of the past but a living testament to Iran’s enduring commitment to promoting intellectual collaboration, he explained.

In this context, it is strongly suggested that the Tehran Cluster Office should be promoted to a multisectoral regional office and continue to embrace our unique position in facilitating cross-cultural interactions, the official noted.

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In his report, the President of Uzbekistan presented to the international community his vision of topical issues of the regional and global agenda, the role of the UN in a consolidated response to modern threats and challenges, and also revealed the essence of deep democratic reforms carried out in order to build a New Uzbekistan, which have become irreversible.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev also touched upon the issues of joint overcoming of the socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic based on the principle proclaimed by the UN “leaving no one behind” will be considered.

In addition, a number of important initiatives have been put forward aimed at strengthening peace and security, restoring the world economy, ensuring sustainable development, deepening dialogue in the region and at the global level, promoting human rights and freedoms, as well as combating such transnational challenges as climate change. degradation of the environment and biodiversity, drying up of the Aral Sea.

It should be noted that all the initiatives put forward in the speech of the President of Uzbekistan at the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly in September 2020 have received broad support from the world community and are now being implemented.

In particular, measures to effectively counteract the pandemic are supported within the framework of their implementation. Uzbekistan has developed a Code of Voluntary Commitments of States during pandemic, the text of which has been distributed as an official document of the UN General Assembly as Uzbekistan’s contribution to global efforts in this direction.

In May 2021, the UN General Assembly adopted a special resolution declaring the Aral Sea region a zone of environmental innovations and technologies. The Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region, established under the auspices of the United Nations, carries out fruitful activities.

On September 14-15, 2021, International Cultural Forum “Central Asia at the Crossroads of World Civilizations” was organized in Khiva jointly with UNESCO.

In November 2021, an international conference is planned to be held in Tashkent on the results of the implementation and prospects for cooperation within the framework of the Joint Plan of the Central Asian States for the Implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

For a complete presentation, we bring to the attention of our readers the full text of the speech of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly:

Speech by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly

Distinguished Mr. Chairman Abdullah Shahid!

Esteemed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres!

Dear heads of delegations!

Ladies and gentlemen!

First of all, I sincerely congratulate Mr. Antonio Guterres on his re-election as the UN Secretary-General.

Today, humanity is at a turning point in its path of development and the nature of international relations is changing dramatically.

The transnational threats to peace, security and sustainable development are growing. The climate is rapidly changing. The mass migration flows are increasing and traditional values are declining.

I am convinced that in such a complex environment, the importance and role of the United Nations and its specialized agencies on a global scale is growing.

It is the United Nations that must continue to play a leading role in these important processes of global destiny with new substance and quality.

We support the Secretary-General’s efforts to strengthen solidarity and accord in the international relations, increase the efficiency and transparency of the Organization.

Dear participants of the session!

Today, the COVID-19 pandemic, which became a global disaster, and its not only social and economic, but also spiritual and political consequences are in the focus of our attention.

We fully support the United Nations’ approach that ensures equal and fair access to vaccines based on the principle of «no one should be left behind».

I would like to take this opportunity to express my special gratitude to our foreign partners, who have provided us the practical assistance in the framework of the COVAX global platform.

We are committed to further strengthening the coordinating role of the World Health Organization in effectively combating pandemic in the international recognition of vaccination results.

The Code of Voluntary Commitments of States during Pandemic, developed on the initiative of the Republic of Uzbekistan and distributed as an official document of the UN General Assembly, is our practical contribution in this regard.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen!

The large-scale and rapid democratic reforms that underway in our country became irreversible in recent years.

Ensuring and protecting the human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests are the basis of our democratic reforms.

The strict measures are being taken to ensure the freedom of speech and mass media, freedom of religion and conscience, gender equality and interethnic harmony.

For the first time in its history, Uzbekistan was elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

We have developed the New Uzbekistan Strategy to continue the reform path.

The concept of this Strategy is to strengthen the role of civil society institutions, protect human rights, reduce poverty, provide each citizen with a guaranteed source of income and achieve sustainable environmental development.

Our main goal is to become one of the countries with above-middle income in terms of the per capita income by 2030.

It should be emphasized that this plan is in line with the spirit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals until 2030.

In this regard, we propose to hold an international conference in Tashkent dedicated to studying the problems of global economic recovery, the implementation of the best practices in poverty reduction in the post-pandemic period.

It is well-known that the World Conference on Involving Youth in Global Action was successfully held in our country.

We are going to organize a Global Educational Forum in the framework of a regular dialogue on human rights in the ancient city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan to continue our efforts in this direction.

Dear friends!

We are consolidating a completely new political environment in the Central Asian region in the spirit of mutual understanding and respect, good neighborliness and strategic partnership.

Our main objective is to make Central Asia a place of prosperity and sustainable development, trust and friendship.

To this end, we attach priority to strengthening the interactions with neighboring and adjacent regions.

In this regard, we have put forward a proposal to adopt a special Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on strengthening the interconnectivity of Central and South Asia.

I would like to underscore once again that Afghanistan is an integral part of Central Asia.

It is not only us and the neighboring states, but also the whole world are interested in the establishment of peace and tranquility in this country.

Therefore, we are always doing our best to help the Afghan people.

We have recently opened the Uzbek-Afghan border and resumed the supply of basic-needs and oil products, as well as electricity to this country.

During these challenging times, it is impossible to isolate Afghanistan and leave it within the range of its problems.

As it is well known, last year, from this high rostrum, we proposed to establish a permanent UN Committee on Afghanistan.

The influence and voice of the United Nations on Afghanistan must be heard louder than ever.

The growing number of threats and conflicts, transnational threats in the world requires further strengthening of the international cooperation.

The presentation of the results of the ten-year plan of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia in Tashkent in November this year and holding an international conference on the prospects will undoubtedly serve these noble purposes.

The signing of a Regional Program for Central Asia for 2022-2025 with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime will lay a solid foundation for the actions in this direction.

As we continue our efforts in this regard, we intend to develop a joint action plan against drugs with the participation of this UN Office, covering the countries of Central and South Asia.

Dear participants of the session!

Uzbekistan pays a special attention to combatting the climate change, protecting the environment and biodiversity.

This is our noble human duty not only for today, but also before the future generations.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to all Member States for the adoption of a Special Resolution of the UN General Assembly declaring the Aral Sea Region as a zone of environmental innovation and technology.

We are determined to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

We are taking concrete steps to move towards the renewable energy sources.

In particular, it is envisaged to double the energy efficiency of our economy by 2030, increase the share of renewable energy by 25% and develop environmentally clean transport.

By 2025, it is scheduled to commission the new solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 2,900 megawatts.

In 2022, we intend to hold a High-Level International Forum in cooperation with the United Nations on «green energy» in the Aral Sea Region in the city of Nukus.

We support the adoption of the Global Biodiversity Program in the near future.

In addition, in the future we stand ready to host one of the meetings of the parties to the Biodiversity Convention in our country.

Along with this, we propose to hold the Sixth High-Level Assembly under the auspices of the United Nations in 2023 in Uzbekistan for in-depth discussions of the priorities of global environmental policy.

The participants of the Assembly will have an opportunity to learn about the difficult situation in the Aral Sea Region, which is the center of an ecological disaster caused by the drying up of the Aral Sea, and draw the necessary conclusions.

In addition, we intend to put forward an initiative in the Assembly to develop a Global Environment Charter aimed at laying the foundations of a new environmental policy of the United Nations.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen!

Uzbekistan is always ready to develop the mutually beneficial, long-term and multifaceted partnership with all countries of the world and global organizations.

I am confident that we will continue to strengthen our close cooperation aimed at sustainable growth, safe and a prosperous future.

Thank you for your attention!

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Exporting technological products of Iranian knowledge-based companies is one of the important and key programs of the vice presidency for science and technology, and in this regard, three houses of innovation and technology were inaugurated in Kenya, China and Syria.

Today, with the opening of this center in the best commercial and economic point of Moscow, despite sanctions, Iran’s technological interactions with other countries develop and Iranians’ specialized and knowledge capabilities reach global markets.

By supporting innovative ideas, holding technological and innovative events, the centers will be a platform for the development and promotion of Iranian knowledge-based companies, startups, and creative industries.

The centers are mainly formed with the investment and support of the private sector to provide the necessary infrastructure for their exports through the innovation houses.

Mehdi Ghalehnoei, an official with the vice presidency for science and technology, said in February that last year, knowledge-based companies gained about $800 million in revenue from export, and next year (March 21), it seems to reach up to $2 billion.

Africa, neighboring countries, Southeast Asia and Eurasia are our export target priorities, and we hope to create Iranian innovation and technology in all these areas, he added.

Innovation in Iran developed rapidly in 5 years

Knowledge-based companies and creative startups have grown over the past five years, and Iran has risen 45 places in the Global Innovation Index, according to the UNESCO 2021 Report.

The Global Innovation Index in Iran from 2015 to 2019 has risen from 106 to 61 with continuous improvement, showing 45 steps growth.

The development of accelerators and innovation centers over the last five years has led to a rapid increase in startups and knowledge-based companies.

Between 2014 and 2017, exports of knowledge-based goods grew by a factor of five, before slumping in 2018 after the U.S. withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (2015), commonly referred to as the nuclear deal, and re-imposed sanctions.

The report states that innovation in Iran has developed rapidly over the past five years, and by the end of last year, 49 accelerators and 113 innovation centers had provided services to start-ups with the participation of the private sector.

Knowledge-based companies

Despite sanctions putting pressure on the country, a unique opportunity was provided for business development and the activity of knowledge-based companies in the country.

Currently, over 7,000 knowledge-based companies are active in the country, manufacturing diverse products to meet the needs of the domestic market while saving large amounts of foreign currency.

The fields of aircraft maintenance, steel, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment, oil, and gas are among the sectors that researchers in technology companies have engaged in, leading to import reduction.

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The Global Innovation Index in Iran from 2015 to 2019 has risen from 106 to 61 with continuous improvement, showing 45 steps growth.

The development of accelerators and innovation centers over the last five years has led to a rapid increase in startups and knowledge-based companies.

Between 2014 and 2017, exports of knowledge-based goods grew by a factor of five, before slumping in 2018 after the U.S. withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (2015), commonly referred to as the nuclear deal, and re-imposed sanctions.

The increase in exports, as well as their focus and encouragement to increase production and provide knowledge-based services in the country, are examples of this rapid growth.

The report has also mentioned various reforms and legislation designed to remove barriers to competition in the Iranian market, calling it an effective step in providing innovation and significant improvement of science and technology in the Islamic Republic.

The report states that innovation in Iran has developed rapidly over the past five years, and by the end of last year, 49 accelerators and 113 innovation centers had provided services to start-ups with the participation of the private sector.

Knowledge-based companies

Currently, some 6,000 knowledge-based companies are active in the country, manufacturing diverse products to meet the needs of the domestic market while saving large amounts of foreign currency.
The fields of aircraft maintenance, steel, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment, oil, and gas are among the sectors that researchers in technology companies have engaged in, leading to import reduction.

Domestic production of 95% of medicine

High capabilities of Iranian biotechnology and pharmaceutical technology are also emphasized in this report. The fact that 95 percent of the medicine used in the country and two-thirds of the pharmaceuticals are produced domestically, as well as the export of Iranian biopharmaceuticals to the European market, especially Germany, is one of the strengths of Iran’s development in this field.

The 2021 UNESCO Scientific Report emphasizes that efforts to promote innovation in the biotechnology sector through the launch of a specialized accelerator are also one of the symbols of development in Iran.
The increase in the number of knowledge-based and creative companies in the biotechnology and nanotechnology sector and the growth of their sales and exports is another example.

Vice presidency for science and technology in tackling pandemic

Another important issue is the role of knowledge-based firms in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

The report emphasizes the support of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology and the Innovation and Prosperity Fund for the production of advanced equipment and supplies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the virus shortly after the onset of the epidemic and is described as a positive and effective experience.

Mehdi Kashmiri, director for technology and planning at the science ministry, said in July that about 450 knowledge-based companies were active in the country for manufacturing protective equipment and treatment products to fight the coronavirus.

Production of more than one million face masks per day, production of more than 1.5 liters of disinfectants per day, diagnostic kits, non-contact thermometers, protective clothing, ventilator are among the produces manufactured by these companies, he added.

Iranian-made innovative products in the field of diagnosis, screening, and fighting coronavirus were also unveiled to combat the disease, namely, ozone generator, nanotechnology face shields, disinfection gate, and molecular COVID-19 diagnostic kits.

Attracting Iranians abroad in domestic startups

The return program of Iranian specialists abroad, which was implemented by the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, has also been considered in this international study.

A program that has led to the employment of a large number of Iranians living abroad in domestic startups (354 people in 2017) and the establishment of startups (100 startups with more than 3,000 employees in 2017).

The progress, made in startups, research, and academia since 2015, has led to the return of 2,000 Iranian specialists and graduates from 400 prestigious and top universities in the world.

About 500 Iranian researchers have returned home over the past four years to transfer their knowledge and expertise to the country’s universities, according to the vice presidency for science and technology.

Adopting the approach of developing the technology and innovation ecosystem in the country by supporting creative companies and start-ups in advanced technologies, are of the key policies to developing science, technology, and innovation in Iran in recent years, the report states.

Job creation in innovation factories and technology parks

In this report, different generations of innovation zones are mentioned. According to the Iran Entrepreneurship Association, there are forty-four parks of science and technology, twenty-one of which are located in Tehran.

Over the last eight years, the creation of 13 science and technology parks, 4,553 technology units, and 1,653 new knowledge-based companies could provide employment for 34,707 university graduates.

Pardis Technology Park and innovation factories have played a significant role in the successful implementation of this approach.

Azadi Innovation Factory has created 3,500 jobs for university graduates and young entrepreneurs, who, along with 6,000 employees of 500 companies located in the Pardis Technology Park, play a great role in developing innovation.

Sharif Innovation Zone is another example of implementing the Technology Ecosystem and Innovation Support Approach, which hosts more than 500 startups.

Iran’s favorable status for gender equality in higher education students, as 46.6 percent of students are female, described as another strength of Iran in the field of science, technology, and innovation.

Continuous growth of scientific productions

However, according to the announcement of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology on Sunday, the continuous growth of Iran’s scientific production in the last decade has been considerable.

The number of articles indexed by the Iranian researchers on the Web of Science website in 2020 increased by 122 percent compared to that of 2013, which made Iran 16th in the world with 69,779 articles, and first among the Islamic countries for several consecutive years, Gholam Hossein Rahimi, deputy minister of science said in May.

Areas such as nanotechnology and biotechnology and effective support for the country’s top scientists, the return of 1,400 Iranian elites, and registration of patents of Iranian scientists in international authorities, are examples of government support in this regard.

Resisting sanctions by resistance economy

The policies of the resistance economy have been discussed as an important mechanism in overcoming the challenges posed by the oppressive U.S. sanctions and enhancing the technological and productive capacity to reduce the country’s dependence on imports of technologies and industrial products.

The report points to the need to pay serious attention to the development of exports with the capability created in startups, which has been seriously considered in recent years.

Paying more attention to market demand and improving skills in higher education in Iran to reduce the unemployment rate of university graduates, promoting research and development in the business sectors (public and private), increasing the share of renewable resources, and overcoming environmental challenges with scientific and technological solutions are among the most important suggestions of this report to improve the situation of science, technology, and innovation in Iran.

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Hosted by KNATCOM HWPL, the workshop was organized by an international NGO named HWPL affiliated with the UN ECOSOC. 34 people including principal education officer of the Ministry of Education, deputy director of programme of KNATCOM and educators from UNESCO associated schools participated in the event.

The workshop was devoted to enabling educators from UNESCO associated schools to experience and practice peace value education in the fields through presentation sessions on peace education materials and pilot class.

HWPL says that peace education serves as a global platform with the aim of “leaving peace as a legacy to the future generations” by raising awareness of building peace from citizens and fostering a culture of peace to challenge the threat from war and violence.

Ms. Dorah Kitala, principal education officer of Ministry of Education said, “Peace education textbooks and the curricula are innovative. After the demonstration, I could feel that peace education is necessary for Kenya and would work with HWPL in the future.”

With the need for teaching values of peace to Kenyan students, 20 educators from UNESCO associated schools signed an agreement, which says they teach the right character for those who would carry the future of the country and to disperse peace education in Kenya.

HWPL has endorsed peace education over 220 educational institutions globally and established a partnership with government agencies (ministry of education) to introduce peace education for students, including the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Iraq, and Guatemala. HWPL, KNATCOM and the Ministry of Education of Kenya are considering formalizing peace education activities throughout the country.

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Gholami held a meeting with Director-General of the UNESCO Audrey Azoulay on the sidelines of the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris.

In the meeting, he highlighted Iran’s scientific and cultural achievements and advances in recent decades, voicing the Islamic Republic’s preparedness to enhance regional and international cooperation with UNESCO and share its experiences through the National Commission and the UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office.

Pointing to Iran’s scientific and academic cooperation with the West Asian countries, free schooling programs for the children of foreign refugees –even the undocumented Afghan migrants-, detailed plans in the cultural heritage sphere, water management, environmental protection, as well as the oceanography and natural disaster management, the minister called for joint programs with UNESCO in order to strengthen bonds with the regional nations and exchange experiences for the achievement of sustainable development.

Gholami also stressed the need for efforts to narrow the “scientific gap” in the world and pave the way for public access to scientific achievements.

For her part, Azoulay highlighted Iran’s position in UNESCO, hailed the country’s stellar record in civilization-building and contributing to science and culture, and called for the full employment of the available capacities to boost the relations between Iran and the UN body.

Lauding Iran as an active and influential member of UNESCO, the former French minister of culture also said Iran’s scientific and technological advances provide a good opportunity for the promotion of regional cooperation.

Iran-UNESCO ties

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The wall was involved in a series of wars first against the Hephthalites or White Huns and later against the Turks.

Most parts of the gigantic monument are still hidden underneath the surface though some segments have so far been unearthed and even restored to former glory.

Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts along with cultural heritage experts are making efforts to put the landmark monument on UNESCO World Heritage list in the years to come.

The wall is lined by 38 forts. It is the longest fort-lined ancient barrier between Central Europe and China, longer than Hadrian’s Wall and the Antonine Wall put together, according to UNESCO.

The gigantic barrier is also more than three times the length of the longest late Roman defensive wall built from scratch, the Anastasian Wall west of Constantinople. The combined area of the forts on the Gorgan Wall exceeds that of those on Hadrian’s Wall about threefold.

UNESCO adds that the Gorgan Wall is remarkable not only in terms of its physical scale, but even more so in terms of its technical sophistication. In order to enable construction works, canals had to be dug along the course of the defensive barrier, to provide the water needed for brick production. These canals received their water from supplier canals, which bridged the Gorgan River via qanats. One of these, the Sadd-e Garkaz, survives to 700 m length and 20 m height, but was originally almost one kilometer long.

The Gorgan Wall and its associated ancient military monuments provide a unique testimony to the engineering skills and military organization of the Sassanian Empire. They help to explain its geographic extent, from Mesopotamia to the west of the Indian Subcontinent, and how effective border defense contributed to the Empire’s prosperity in the interior and to its longevity. These monuments are, in terms of their scale, historical importance and sophistication, of global significance.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iran and Germany are expanding archeological collaboration in line with the plans to inscribe the ruins of Rab’-e Rashidi, an educational complex dating back to the 14th century, in the northwestern East Azarbaijan province, on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

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