President Rouhani mentioned over 9,000 transplants of bone marrow stem cells as another sign of Irans brilliant record in the field, emphasising that science and research do not consider any boundary and that knowledge and thought should not be locked and influenced by other events, especially political issues.

President Hassan Rouhani sent a message to the 22^nd Annual Conference of Asia-Pacific Blood and Marrow Transplantation (APBMT 2017) and described hosting high-ranking professors, prominent scholars and prominent doctors at the congress as another honour for Irans science.

The text of the presidents message read by Dr Ghazizadeh Hashemi, Minister of Health and Medical Education, is as follows:

 In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Hosting professors, prominent scholars and prominent physicians at the 22^nd Annual Conference of Asia-Pacific Blood and Marrow Transplantation is another honour for science in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the field of knowledge, especially cellular science, and a new window has opened to medical practitioners and medical professionals today. While relying on the vast human capital and the impetus derived from the rich Iranian-Islamic culture, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been consistent with global scientific advancement and has been advancing in such a way that bone marrow stem cell transplantation was first performed in Tehran and Shiraz in 1990, and today, it is offered to patients in 17 centres and more than 9,000 transplants, which are another sign of Irans brilliant record in this vital field.

With the start of the 11th Administration and the launch of Healthcare Reform Plan, bone marrow transplants is being offered free of charge, like all other high-quality services in public hospitals. In addition, centres of donation and numerous cell banks have been set up, with the presence of researchers and specialists, to allow more patients to be treated.

What is important in this and should never be forgotten is that science and research do not know the boundaries and that knowledge and thought should not be locked and influenced by other events, especially political ones. I hope that this congress and other scientific meetings will provide the necessary ground for the exchange of ideas, research and the acquisition of new technologies for different countries, and will lead to improved health and healthcare for all communities.

In the end, I would like to appreciate those involved in organising this congress and I wish our university community make the best use of the opportunity for further promotion of medical knowledge and treatment, and dear guests of the congress return to their countries with the achievements of science and a lasting memory of our dear Irans civilisation and culture.

Hassan Rouhani

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran