According to the statistics, Iran is one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world with several faults, taking almost 90% of the area. These statistics are provided by international institutes and therefore valid. The remaining 10 percent is related to areas with no habitants, meaning the dessert areas (Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut). According to the historical illustration of earthquakes in the four centuries BC to the year 2000 drawn by the Center of Geophysics, University of Tehran, there is a halo of seismicity in Iran, which always threatens the country. Nevertheless, we are still standing and fighting against the nature.

For instance, the Menar Jonban monument in Isfahan is the symbol of scientific and technological maturity of Iran in dealing with earthquake and natural disasters. However, earthquake is not a “disaster” but a blessing since it leads to construction and prosperity. For many years, the Japanese, who are very familiar with the impact of severe earthquakes, assessed the secret of this astounding monument and changed the structure of the building. However, its moving is started again and is still standing after hundreds of years.

Therefore, the term “turning threats into opportunities” is not a slogan. Our ancestors have been able to harness floods by constructing large buildings and structures. They also used storms to construct and establish mills. All of these have been realized by creativity, science and practice. Therefore, if a slogan is accompanied with practice, it could lead to positive outcomes instead of bringing disasters and indifference.

We all know that we cannot stop the occurring of an earthquake since it is part of the nature. Lack of earthquakes on earth could lead to putrefaction of water and elimination of greens from the planet, which is indicative of the end of the world. We also know that many earthquakes will occur in the future and we should not just sit and wait for them in order to just witness their occurrence and sympathize with the victims. While sympathy is good, it is better to prevent the damages of earthquakes. This could be possible considering many earthquake-prone countries, such as Japan.

Now that the time of flourishing innovation and entrepreneurship has come, and the knowledge-based economy is being extended, we can establish startups by relying on our past and the experiences of others in order to change everything.

Meanwhile, very good thing that happened is the significant and effective presence of public organizations working alongside the relief organizations, such as Red Crescent. This time, we witnessed the cooperation of the military and police organizations. Mostly, army and corps are the origin of many innovations and creativities. These two organizations have made various creativities and innovations in the formation of national security and defending the boarders and have many experiences in this area. On the other hand, our universities have a good condition in terms of theorization. Now if all of these are added to the use of information technology and artificial intelligence, we could better deal with natural disasters due to our capabilities.

I myself have closely witnessed the problems of the earthquake-affected areas. I was present at the location of Roudbar (1990) and Bam (2003) earthquakes and felt the pain and problems of our countrymen with all my heart. The only solution for elimination of concerns and reducing serious damages caused by earthquakes of tomorrow is the technological preventions of today. Not only technology is able to make life simpler and safer, but also it is able to decrease the costs. Therefore, prevention in the area of dealing with earthquakes and natural phenomenon is always associated with reduced costs. Moreover, pre-crisis management will be accurately performed with the help of science and technology. Then, there will be no need for showcase our greatest abilities in dealing with many pains of our countrymen caused by a natural crisis.

Today, we have more than three thousand knowledge-based companies and thousands of startups in various fields. Each can perform considerable tasks. I wish that this amount of sympathy toward the current victims earthquake would be spend on unknown victims of tomorrow. Now, the best thing to do is keep these sympathies, which is both a necessity and an advantage. We need to seize the moment and use the time we have. Formation of preventative and anti-crisis knowledge-based companies and startups will make everyone happy. In addition, we will pay much smaller prices and it would be a win-win situation. This culture could be easily extended by social networks, which apply information and communication technologies, informing everyone about the future. I believe all of the necessary advices have been stated. As Saadi has stated: “if all of the world is stricken by an earthquake, it is not a sad phenomenon since advice of experts could eliminate all problems.” Today, we need to act. God bless all of you.

Parviz Karami, advisor to the vice president for science and technology affairs