Iran and Belarus Forge Scientific Partnership: Joint Committee Launching This Spring

In a significant development for scientific collaboration, Iranian and Belarusian officials have agreed to establish a joint scientific committee aimed at enhancing cooperation in various fields of basic and applied sciences. The meeting took place on February 26, 2024, between Farhad Yazdandoost, an official from the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology of Iran, and Dmitry Koltsov, the Belarusian ambassador to Iran. This agreement marks a promising step forward in the partnership between the two nations.

During their discussions, both officials emphasized the importance of fostering scientific and technological relationships, particularly in the following areas:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Advanced Technologies

Koltsov expressed his enthusiasm for the promotion of scientific collaborations with Iran, highlighting the outcomes of a joint committee meeting held in January 2024. This meeting reinforced the commitment to advance scientific and technological relations between the two countries. Since 2016, Iran and Belarus have been working together to mutually recognize higher education degrees, further establishing a foundation for academic collaboration.

In addition, the Belarusian ambassador referred to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in 2023, which aims to enhance technological cooperation between the two nations. This MOU is crucial for expanding scientific and technological collaborations and reflects a mutual desire to strengthen ties in academia and industry.

Yazdandoost, during the meeting, emphasized the progress made by the Iranian private sector in collaboration with Belarus across various fields. He noted that such advancements underscore the importance of developing cooperation among:

• Knowledge-based companies
• Start-ups
• Biotechnology

The Iranian official expressed optimism that increased scientific and academic interactions, as well as collaborative partnerships between scientists and universities of both countries, would flourish as a result of this initiative. The Ministry of Science has also expressed its readiness to act as an intermediary to facilitate cooperation between the institutions of Iran and Belarus.

Coordination between various ministries of both nations was highlighted as vital for fostering these relations. The officials agreed on the necessity for collaboration among universities and government organizations, paving the way for a robust partnership.

Technological MOU Between Tehran and Minsk

In 2023, Iran and Belarus formalized their commitment to enhancing technological cooperation through a signed memorandum of understanding. This agreement, signed by Amin-Reza Khaleqian, the former head of Pardis Technology Park’s department for international affairs, and Oleg Tabanyukhov, the deputy head of Belarus’ Great Stone Industrial Park, signifies a collaborative future.

The MOU outlines several key initiatives aimed at expanding technological cooperation, including:

• Holding joint events
• Participating in mutual exhibitions
• Sharing technical knowledge
• Dispatching technological delegations
• Making joint investments

This agreement emerged following a comprehensive cooperation roadmap signed in March by the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, signaling a strong commitment to bilateral relations.

In March 2023, Mohammad Mokhber, the former first vice president of Iran, commented on the potential of unilateral sanctions imposed by Western powers. He emphasized that these sanctions have provided an opportunity for countries like Iran and Belarus to rely on their own scientific expertise and capabilities. Mokhber stated, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has made significant advancements in science and technology by overcoming these sanctions.”

He further noted that both nations could leverage Iran’s experience in dealing with sanctions to enhance their collaboration. Mokhber reiterated that President Ebrahim Raisi has stressed the urgency of implementing the Iran-Belarus accords swiftly.

Moreover, he highlighted the potential of the North-South Transportation Corridor as a significant avenue for collaboration between the two states. The groundwork for a new level of reciprocal ties in various sectors is being established, as evidenced by the signing of a comprehensive cooperation roadmap and seven MOUs between the two countries.

This initiative showcases a mutual commitment to fostering strong scientific, technological, and educational ties between Iran and Belarus, paving the way for future collaborations that can benefit both nations.