Emphasizing that knowledge-based companies and startups have increased the dynamism of the innovation ecosystem of Iran, the vice president for science and technology affairs stated: some of the most successful startups have filled the place of global players, such as YouTube and Amazon, in Iran and have been turned into powerful companies that seek presence in regional markets.

According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, Sorena Sattari, the vice president for science and technology affairs, regarded the main topic of this forum to be increasing the efforts and synergy of regional countries to use science, technology and innovation in sustainable and all-around development, on the Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum (APIF) held on June 12^th, 2019, asserting: the key subject of this forum is technological startups on the path of sustainable development, which is an interesting and important topic for Iran.

He also emphasized the determination of Iran in playing a role in the field of science and technology among various countries of the Asia-Oceania region, adding: we believe that close regional cooperation is the only way to solve the joint regional problems and to prevent the unilateralism and monopoly of some powers.

The vice president for science and technology affairs talked about the flourishing of economy of Iran with the help of activists of ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship, expressing: knowledge-based companies and startups have increased the dynamism of innovation ecosystem of the country. In addition, some of the most successful startups have filled the place of global players, such as YouTube and Amazon, in Iran and have been turned into powerful companies that seek presence in regional markets.

He also mentioned the boosting of Iranian startups in all technological fields, marking: this issue is not just limited to ICT area and involves other fields, such as biotechnology, stem cells, nanotechnology, and aerospace. Support of more than 4300 domestic knowledge-based companies and consecutive growth of Iran in the Global Innovation Index (GII) are indicative of success in this path.

Sattari also regarded the empowering activities for the introduction of the network and its services in the form of interaction with the Asia-Pacific Commission and other relevant United Nations agencies, setting up the website and communication platform needed, networking and strengthening communication network activists in the form of companies in annual meetings as the second axis of activities of this network.

Pointing out the cooperation of Islamic countries in the field of innovation with the support of Iran, Sattari asserted: over the last few years, various innovative and technological inventions have been created by role playing of Iran among Asian countries, Muslim countries, or other developing countries. Formation of the Technology Transmission & Exchange Network (TTEN) among eight developing countries and Mustafa Prize as the excellence sign of science and technology for Muslim scientists are two examples of these actions. In addition, Iran has participated in other important regional forums, the last one of which is holding the APIF.

Sattari expressed his hope that the forum will be a great opportunity for sharing valuable ideas and experiences and starting more cohesive cooperation between Asian countries for sustainable development of comprehensive innovation.

The first APIF will be held June 11^th-12^th, 2019 in the presence of more than 60 countries by the efforts of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs.