TEHRAN –By a majority vote of the Asian and Pacific Center for Transfer of Technology members, it was agreed to hold the 20th session of the Board of Governors of the APCTT in Iran.

The nineteenth session was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from December 6 – 7.

The session was attended by representatives of the member countries including Bangladesh, China, Uzbekistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Korea, India, Russia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand. Nepal, Malaysia, and Vietnam attended as Observers.

Anvar Shalmashi, General Director of Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, attended the meeting as a representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In the meeting, a report on activities of APCTT over the past year and programs for the next year were discussed and reviewed.

Also, a summary on activities of the center during the last five years, from 2019 to 2023, was presented and discussed, and the operational and technical issues of the center were also outlined.

 APCTT

APCTT is a regional institution of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) servicing the Asia-Pacific region. The Centre was established in 1977 in Bangalore, India. 

APCTT promotes transfer of technology to and from small- and medium-scale enterprises in Asia and the Pacific.In 1993, the Centre moved to New Delhi, India. APCTT promotes transfer of technology to and from small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Asia and the Pacific.

APCTT implements development projects funded by international donors aimed at strengthening the environment for technology transfer among SMEs in Asia and the Pacific; in this respect the Centre makes special efforts to encourage more participation of women in the field of technology.

APCTT undertakes consultancy assignments in various technology transfer related areas (institution building, human resources development, studies, business partnership development).

The objective of APCTT is to strengthen the technology transfer capabilities in the region and to facilitate import/export of environmentally sound technologies to/from the member countries.

The Centre promotes emerging technologies such as nanotechnology, renewable energy biotechnology and fourth Industrial revolution technologies which have high growth potential and can address the collective challenges of the region.

It also focusses on green technologies to address climate change mitigation and adaptation needs for sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

APCTT, together with its member states, aims to foster technological innovations for a more sustainable future for the Asia Pacific region.

Science, technology cornerstone of development

In February, President Ebrahim Raisi said science and technology are the cornerstones of national development.

The chain of knowledge, research, innovation, and technology ensures sustainable development in the country, he added.

The president made the remarks at the ending ceremony of the 36th Khwarizmi International Festival, the 24th Khwarizmi Youth Award, and the 1st Khwarizmi Innovation and Technology Award, which was held in Tehran, IRNA reported.

“Our religious leaders benefited from the knowledge and advised the society to learn science and wisdom.

They gave a privileged position to wise men, scientists, and researchers and always encouraged someone who was a person of wisdom and thoughtfulness.”

“Our interaction with all nations and governments in the world should be for the transfer of knowledge and technology, and our interaction with all neighboring countries, in the region and globally, should be based on this criterion,” Raisi highlighted.

MT/MG