According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, the first meeting of the joint workgroup of science and technology Iran was held along with the travel of the minister of foreign affairs to Brazil on April 10^th 2018. The delegation of Iran was managed by Ali Morteza Birang, deputy for international affairs and technological exchange and president of the international cooperation center of science and technology. On the other hand, Maxmilian Marian, deputy of technology and innovation development of ministry of science of brazil, managed the delegation of Brazil.

In addition, deputy for industry and market of nanotechnology development headquarter and representatives of eight knowledge-based companies were presented in this meeting from Iran. From Brazil, there were representatives often related to science, technology and innovation of the country, including group manager of science and technology of ministry of foreign affairs of Brazil, head of office of research and development policies of ministry of science of Brazil, coordinator of integration and empowering of technologies of deputy for technology and innovation development of ministry of science of Brazil, deputy of administration of food and agriculture of agency of research and innovation of Brazil (FINEP), advisor to the head of agency of research and industrial innovation of Brazil (Embrapii), deputy of international coordination of delegation of advisor of international coordination of national council of science and development in Brazil, adviser to the international cooperation projects of science and technology parks and commercial incubators of Brazil (Anprotec) and advisor to the industrial federation of the federal region of Brazil. 

Mission of Governments Is Facilitation of Meetings in Line with Development of Science among Countries

Ali Morteza Birang expressed his hope about the modification of the previous path of this workgroup and cooperation of both parties to facilitate collaboration and eliminate the barriers to this cooperation.

Pointing out the proper scientific and technological cooperation of Iran with Russia, China and Austria, Birang announced: Iran has created various cooperation models with different countries, such as joint committees and/or funds, which can be used in cooperation with Brazil.

Deputy for international affairs and technological exchange pointed out the efforts made in the past few years to develop knowledge-based companies in Iran and improve their role-playing in creation of knowledge-based economy and occupations for academic graduates, regarding the sharing of experiences beneficial in this regard.

In addition, Birang suggested to hold the next meeting of the joint workgroup in Tehran along with the travel of delegation of Brazil to Tehran, which was approved by the Brazilian party.

At the end, head of the center of international cooperation of science and technology demanded faster measures to compensate for the previous delays in the cooperation between the two parties.

He considered the formation of actual cooperation to be relying on more interactions between scientific individuals, companies and representatives of the relevant governmental units of the two countries for better recognition of abilities of each other and defining of cooperation fields, considering the mission of governments to be the facilitation of this type of interactions. Birang also demanded the introduction of relevant individuals by two parties to follow up each of the agreements.

Foundation Is Laid for Cooperation between Iran and Brazil

Maxmilian Marian, deputy of technology and innovations of ministry of science of Brazil expressed the interest of the Brazilian side in cooperation with Iran, expressing: we know that Iran has performed proper actions in the area of advanced technologies and knowledge-based economy. Over the past years, Brazil has also been able to make various changes in its government structure and create the necessary units to facilitate innovation and competitiveness. Therefore, it seems that there are proper infrastructures for cooperation of two countries.

He praised the activities of Iran in the area of knowledge-based companies and demanded the design of a roadmap for cooperation of the two countries. In addition, some of the representatives of various units of Brazil and Iran presented some projects.

The deputy of technology of ministry of science of Brazil regarded the first meeting of the joint workgroup a successful meeting, announcing: this was a great starting point. With regard to the issues presented in the meeting, nanotechnology can be a start point for development of cooperation between the two countries.

He recommended: a Brazilian team will come to Tehran for the international nano exhibition, which will be held in October 2018 in Tehran. Until then, primary measures can be taken to make the final agreement for the time of visit.

Cooperation Model of Iran Can Also Be Used by Brazil

In another part of the meeting, Bandito Fonska, manager of the science and technology group of foreign minister of Brazil regarded the cooperation models of Iran with other countries to be interesting and usable for cooperation with Brazil.

Fabio Larotonda, head of administration of research and development policies of Brazil, announced the initiation of new activities of Brazil in the area of science and technology in 1970s.

The next lecturer was Reza Asadifar, deputy of industry and market of nanotechnology development headquarter of Iran, who presented a report on the achievements of Iran in the area of nanotechnology.

According to this authority, this position has been obtained by a 10-year focused program in Iran during 2006-2016. Achieving the fourth rank of the world in production of nano technology science with the 6.5% share of the total scientific production of the world, education of more than 35000 nano experts, registration of more than 210 international nano patents, formation of about 170 nano production companies and commercialization of more than 400 nano-based products are among the achievements pointed out in the report of deputy of industry and market.

At the end, he made some suggestions for improving the cooperation with Brazil in the nano area.

Despite the signing of a cooperation agreement between Iran and Brazil in the area of science and technology in 2009, the joint workgroup has not been established for several reasons. With regard to the travel of Javad Zarif, minister of foreign affairs, to Brazil and announcing the preparedness of the Brazilian side, opportunity was made for establishment of this workgroup in Brazil.