Tehran and Hanoi Join Forces to Boost Scientific and Technological Collaboration
In a significant move to enhance scientific and technological cooperation, the head of the Organization for the Development of International Cooperation in Science and Technology, Hossein Roozbeh, met with the Vietnamese Ambassador to Iran, Nguyen Luong Ngoc. This meeting, held at the Tehran branch of the Iran House of Innovation and Technology (iHiT), focused on expanding collaborations between Iran and Vietnam in various high-tech sectors.
During the visit, Ngoc expressed admiration for Iran’s remarkable scientific potential across multiple domains, including pharmaceuticals, construction, and modern technologies. He proposed the establishment of an iHiT branch in Hanoi, emphasizing that this initiative would enhance scientific and international interactions between the two nations.
Ngoc highlighted Vietnam’s achievements in agriculture, fishery, and aquaculture, stating, “We have had a successful experience in extra-terrestrial cultivation in Cuba, multiplying the volume of agricultural production and product exports. The two countries can collaborate to implement the same model in Iran, particularly in the north of the country.”
In response, Roozbeh elaborated on Iran’s capabilities in several technological fields. He noted the country’s advancements in:
- Agriculture
- Fishery
- Medicine
- Medication
- Construction
- Nanotechnology
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Roozbeh emphasized the current administration’s commitment to fostering scientific collaborations with neighboring and friendly countries, indicating Iran’s readiness to enhance scientific, technological, and research cooperation while sharing expertise with Vietnam.
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Technology and Innovation Report 2025, Iran ranks 72nd among 166 countries in terms of technology and innovation, categorizing it as an upper middle-income country. This ranking shows an improvement of one position compared to 2022, reflecting Iran’s ongoing efforts to advance its technological landscape.
UNCTAD’s report identifies 17 categories of frontier technologies, which include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Internet of Things
- Big Data
- 5G Technology
- 3D Printing
- Robotics
- Drone Technology
- Solar Photovoltaic
- Concentrated Solar Power
- Biofuels
- Biogas and Biomass
- Wind Energy
- Green Hydrogen
- Electric Vehicles
- Nanotechnology
- Gene Editing
The Technology and Innovation Report 2025 focuses on inclusive AI for development, aiming to assist decision-makers in crafting policies that encourage technological advancement. The report advocates for an AI framework that prioritizes human welfare and encourages global cooperation, ensuring all countries can contribute to the discourse.
This report outlines three critical leverage points for fostering AI development:
- Infrastructure: Building robust technological frameworks.
- Data: Ensuring access to quality data for technological development.
- Skills: Developing the necessary skills to navigate the evolving technological landscape.
The report offers a comprehensive socioeconomic perspective on AI, analyzing the necessary requirements and policies to support sustainable industrialization and innovation.
In terms of sub-indices regarding readiness for frontier technologies in 2025, Iran’s strongest performance is in the research and development sub-index, where it ranks 35th globally. However, the country has seen fluctuations in its rankings across other critical areas:
- Finance sub-index: improved from 62nd in 2022 to 56th in 2025.
- Skills sub-index: decreased from 74th in 2022 to 82nd in 2025.
- Information and Communication Technology sub-index: dropped from 78th in 2022 to 94th in 2025.
These changes highlight the ongoing challenges and opportunities within Iran’s technological landscape as it seeks to bolster its position in the global arena.
