TEHRAN – Minister of Science, Research and Technology Hossein Simaei-Sarraf has delivered a lecture on the 2026 international convention on the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, proposing that UNESCO member states set up a global framework to defend scientists, universities, and analysis establishments towards navy assaults.
He urged UNESCO to implement and reinforce the proposed framework via the adoption of binding resolutions and treaties to assist science all the time stay a part of the answer to international points and challenges.
Conducted as a hybrid occasion, the convention came about from July 15–17 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
Attending the convention on-line, Simaei-Sarraf raised a query about how science can play a job in addressing international challenges whereas the science and scientific group are underneath menace, Mehr information company reported.
“Challenges we’re discussing right this moment will not be summary for my nation, however are rooted in current and deeply painful expertise inside the span of a single 12 months.
Thousands of harmless civilians and lots of scientists have been killed or injured on account of [US-Israel] navy aggressions. The Islamic Republic of Iran considers these assaults incompatible with the ideas of worldwide regulation, the United Nations Charter, and the values that UNESCO seeks to uphold within the fields of training, science, and tradition.
Regardless of political variations, one precept should stay past dispute: scientists, universities, analysis establishments, and scientific infrastructures must not ever grow to be victims of crises and conflicts.
Scientists should be empowered to proceed advancing information for the advantage of humanity. Universities and analysis establishments should be revered and guarded as strategic property serving all humankind,” he highlighted.
The International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033), proclaimed by the United Nations and led by UNESCO, represented a pivotal international motion to harness the complete spectrum of scientific disciplines for the accelerated achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
It introduced collectively international stakeholders to take inventory of progress, highlight science-driven options and assist form a resilient and inclusive post-2030 future.
Connecting leaders from authorities, academia, trade, civil society and Indigenous information communities, the Conference served as a premier international platform to assess progress, share options and forge the partnerships wanted to mobilize science for sustainable growth at scale.
Under the theme “Science in action: Charting a sustainable and equitable future for all,” the occasion spotlighted how transdisciplinary analysis, open science and strengthened science–coverage–society interfaces can drive extra inclusive and equitable futures for all.
Attacking universities is a “crossing of red lines”: science minister
In June, Simaei-Sarraf stated that attacking universities is a crossing of pink traces, highlighting that the United States and Israel focused many universities and academic facilities within the nation through the current battle.
When a college is focused, the truth is, one of the genuine facilities of tradition and civilization is attacked, and the hurt is directed on the total scientific group of the world, msrt.ir quoted Simaei-Sarraf as saying.
The official made the remarks whereas addressing the tenth assembly of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Education Ministers, which came about in Minsk, Belarus, on June 16. A delegation led by the science minister attended the assembly.
Elaborating on the US-Israeli navy assaults on Iran, destruction, and assassinations of Iranian universities and scientists up to now 12 months, he emphasised that universities ought to be secure havens for thought, dialogue, and hope, reasonably than victims of conflicts.
The official raised a query, asking members, “Will the international community allow the most authentic centers of civilization to fall victim to violence?”, and urged the worldwide scientific group and worldwide organizations to undertake a clearer, extra accountable, and decisive stance in defending the safety of universities, scientists, and scientific facilities.
Silence within the face of those aggressions will lead to fixed violence towards science and civilization, he added.
MT/MG