Iran attending 9th meeting of SCO education ministers

TEHRAN – Science Minister Hossein Simaei-Sarraf is participating in the ninth meeting of education ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, which was held on May 12 and 13 in Urumqi, China.

China, UNAIDS to help Iran boost HIV rapid response

TEHRAN – In an effort to enhance the overall resilience of Iran’s national AIDS program and HIV testing capacity, Iran’s Health Ministry, the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), and the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) have convened a meeting to share expertise.

Japanese envoy underscores ongoing co-op on fight against narcotics

TEHRAN – Japanese Ambassador to Iran, Tamaki Tsukada, has highlighted the significance of constant cooperation on fostering ties in combating drugs and drug-related crimes.

By Maryam Tavassoli

Protect plants, protect lives

TEHRAN – Plants are life, the primary producers of biomass providing animals and humankind with food, medicine, and an enjoyable landscape; when we protect plants, we protect lives.

Children with disabilities benefit from earthquake, safety drills

TEHRAN –The 26th national “Earthquake and Safety” drill, marked by the earthquake bell, has been simultaneously held in schools across the country with a distinctive focus on the safety and readiness of students with disabilities and special needs.

Strengthening co-op on AI essential for future: Chinese envoy

TEHRAN – The Chinese ambassador to Iran, Cong Peiwu, has underlined the need to boost cooperation in advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, calling it essential for the future.

World Migratory Bird Day highlights ‘creating bird-friendly communities’

TEHRAN – Celebrated biannually - on May 10 and October 11 - World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) aims to raise awareness about the many challenges migratory birds face due to human activities, including urban development.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

FAO intl. expert visits Iran to help boost pistachio competitiveness in global market

KERMAN - As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen Iranian pistachio export standards, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has dispatched a technical delegation to Kerman Province to assess and improve sampling and laboratory testing procedures for detecting contaminants in pistachios — one of Iran’s most valuable export commodities.

Iran exports over 700,000 doses of BCG vaccine to Venezuela

TEHRAN – Pasteur Institute of Iran has exported more than 700,000 doses of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine to Venezuela.

By Maryam Tavassoli

Cheetahs running towards survival or extinction?

TEHRAN – With an estimated number of less than 30 Asiatic cheetahs remaining in Iran, the head of the Department of Environment (DOE), Shina Ansari, has expressed hope yet worry about the animal’s survival in the country, being pushed to the brink of extinction.

IRCS, UNICEF host workshop on early childhood education in emergencies

TEHRAN – Recognizing the vital role of early learning, especially in times of crisis, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have held a national training workshop to ensure children are not left behind, even in emergencies.

Iranian-made HPV vaccine enters domestic market

TEHRAN – A homegrown human papillomavirus (HPV) quadrivalent recombinant vaccine has been supplied to the domestic market for the first time.

Iranian, Iraqi officials discuss fostering educational ties

TEHRAN –Iran’s deputy minister of education, Hamid-Reza Sheikholeslam, and Iraqi minister of education, Ibrahim Namis Yassin, have discussed avenues for expanding educational cooperation between the two countries.

Special budget allocated to rare, hard-to-treat diseases

TEHRAN – The administration has approved 120 billion rials (some 144,000 dollars) for treating rare and hard-to-treat diseases in the current Iranian year, which started on March 21.

Iran recognized ‘pioneer’ in assistive technology at GATE Summit

TEHRAN – The model of assistive technology introduced by Iran at the Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE) summit 2025 has been recognized as a successful model for developing countries.

Habitat loss main cause of decline in species population: DOE official

TEHRAN – Habitat loss, exacerbated by climate change, is the leading cause of population decline in species, the head of the wildlife protection office has said.

UNFPA lauds Iran’s efforts in reducing maternal mortality

TEHRAN – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative in Iran has commended the country’s health system measures in lowering the mortality rate ratio by 63 percent, from 43 deaths per 1000 live births in 2000 to 16 deaths in 2023.

Venezuela to utilize Iran’s expertise in nanotechnology

TEHRAN – The preparation of a document for the development of nanotechnology in Venezuela using Iran’s knowledge and expertise has been discussed by officials from the two countries.

Some 980,000 births registered in a year

TEHRAN – A total of 979,923 births were registered in the country in the past Iranian calendar year (March 2024 – March 2025), the Civil Registration Organization has announced.

DCHQ, UNICEF highlight developing partnership model

TEHRAN – Brigadier General Hossein Zolfaqari, the Secretary General of Iranian Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ), and Monika Oledzka Nielson, the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) ad interim Representative in Iran, have underscored the need for the development of a cooperative model between the two organizations to be able to realize joint objectives and enhance the efficiency of collaborative measures.

Welfare Organization develops plan to improve elderly’s quality of life

TEHRAN – The Welfare Organization is planning to implement a forty-day training program for old people to improve their quality of life.

DOE, IFO boost ties to conserve aquatic resources

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment (DOE) and the Iranian Fishery Organization (IFO) will boost collaborations to preserve the aquatic resources in the northern and southern seas.

Iranian-made pentavalent vaccines to be distributed nationwide

TEHRAN –The health ministry will start distributing domestically made pentavalent vaccines across the country on Tuesday, the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said.

Over 32,000 marriages after age 50 registered in a year

TEHRAN – A total of 32,196 marriages over the age of fifty were registered across the country in the past Iranian year (March 2024 – March 2025), according to the Civil Registration Organization.

Iran prioritizes neighboring countries in science diplomacy: official

TEHRAN – The current administration places a priority on fostering scientific collaborations with neighboring countries, an official with the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, has said.

GIEWS releases report on food security in Iran

TEHRAN –The Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) has released a report, providing up-to-date information on the food security situation in Iran.

Farabi International Award extends submission deadline

TEHRAN – The deadline for submitting articles to the 16th Farabi International Award (FIA) has been extended to May 21.

DOE develops data bank of over 5,000 species in Persian Gulf, Oman Sea

TEHRAN –The head of the Department of Environment (DOE), Shina Ansari, has announced the provision of a data bank of more than 5,000 creatures in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea, saying that it will serve as a regional and even international platform for the preservation of the biodiversity in these waters.

Russia needs to enhance cooperation with Iran in emerging technologies: presidential aide

TEHRAN –Russian Presidential Aide Andrei Fursenko has underscored the significance of promoting partnerships and collaborations with Iran in emerging technologies.

Iran attends 2025 BRS COPs in Geneva

TEHRAN – A delegation of officials from the Department of Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Oil has participated in the 2025 Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (2025 BRS COPs) which opened in Geneva on April 28 and will run until May 9.