The deputy for international affairs and technological exchange stated: the first Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum will be held in Iran in June.

According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, Ali Morteza Birang, the deputy for international affairs and technological exchange, expressed in the press conference of the eight international innovation and technology exhibition (INOTEX 2019): the first Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum will be held June 10^th-12^th, 2019.

He added: last year, Iran suggested holding the Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum to the socioeconomic commission of the United Nation known as SCUP. This request was accepted; therefore, the first forum will be held June 10^th-12^th, 2019 in Tehran with the shared hosting of the United Nations (SCUP) and the Islamic Republic of Iran (the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs).

According to Birang, this international forum will be held for the first time and through the innovation of the country with the cooperation of the Asia-Pacific Social and Economic Commission of the United Nations (SCUP), which has been formed to strengthen global participation to realize the sustainable development of science, technology and innovation under the United Nations’ economic and social council (ECOSOC).

He also asserted: according to the second Asia-Pacific Innovation and Technology Forum (2018) in Bangkok, holding the first Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum by Iran was approved.

During this meeting, Ahmadreza Alaei Tabatabaei, the general director of technology exchange office and the administrative secretary of the first Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum, pointed out the details of the event, conveying: this large event will be held along with INOTEX 2019 in the presence of high-ranking and international decision-makers from 63 member countries of SCUP.

He continued: SCUP includes 53 member countries in Asia-Pacific region, and nine other countries are affiliated members. Some of these countries include Malaysia, Australia, China, South Korea, India, France, Japan, Netherlands, and New Zealand.

According to Alaei Tabatabaei, all ministers related to the field of science, technology and innovation are invited by a joint invitation from the Vice-Presidency, general administrative secretary of SCUP and heads of 20 important and relevant international organizations. In addition, the costs of the event will be divided between SCUP and our country.

In addition, he affirmed: over two days, the representatives of countries will share and exchange knowledge and experiences, evaluate the national innovation system of countries, successful and failed experiences in the field of science and technology policies and assess the startup ecosystem of member countries.

Deputy for international affairs and technological exchange regarded the introduction of innovative startups in Asia-Pacific region with regard to the goals of sustainable development, exchange of information on new technological achievements between member countries and development of scientific and technological cooperation with countries outside of this region in line with entering the second industrial revolution are the main goals of the event.

The administrative secretary of the first Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum added: at the end of the forum, the Asia-Pacific startup network, which is being established by Iran and key players of the innovation and startup ecosystem of the country, will be unveiled.