The first Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum (ESCAP) will be held August 12^th-13^th, 2019 along with the eighth international innovation and technology fair (INOTEX 2019) in the hall of the summit of Islamic countries and international exhibition of Tehran by the efforts of the Vice-Presidency.

According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, Seyed Ahmad Reza Alaei Tabatabaei, secretary of the first Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum, pointed out the hosting of the event by Iran, expressing: the Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum (ESCAP) is one of the units of ECOSOC.

He added: this council is regarded as one of the main pillars of the United Nations and has the widespread mission in the socioeconomic field, encompassing different specialized and regional units. The mentioned council has a regional agency in each continent and its mission in the Asia and the Pacific is assigned to ESCAP, the regional office of which is in Bangkok (Thailand).

According to Alaei, with regard to the current capacities of the country in the field of innovation and technology and missions of ESCAP, the proposal of holding the APIF was presented by the deputy for international affairs and technological exchange.

He also asserted: with further follow-ups, the proposal was approved and it was decided to hold the first forum in Tehran during August 12^th-13^th, 2019 with joint hosting of the Vice-Presidency and ESCAP.

Alaei continued: the event will be opened in the Hall of the Summit of Islamic Countries in the presence of science and technology ministers and representatives of 62 member countries of ESCAP and heads of related international organizations.

The specialized meetings of the event will be held along with the eighth international technology and innovation exhibition (INOTEX) at the permanent location of international exhibitions of Tehran.

According to Alaei, holding six specialized meetings with topics of "government policies in the promotion of startups," "women, innovation and technology," "technology parks and centers of growth," "investment in technology and innovation," "community-based innovations," and "the impact of south-south cooperation in promoting the level of science, technology and innovation” in the presence of international figures is on the agenda of the event.

In another part of his speech, Alaei affirmed: the first ESCAP will be held August 12^th-13^th, 2019 by the deputy for international affairs and technological exchange and the Vice-Presidency.