The Islamic Republic of Iran has taken a significant step toward deeper collaboration with BRICS, hosting a three-day high-level workshop focused on advancing scientific, technological, and financial cooperation. Held in Tehran from February 24 to 26, the event was organized by the Center for Progress and Development of Iran (CPDI) Presidency, in partnership with the BRICS Expert Council-Russia.

The workshop provided a crucial platform for showcasing Iran’s technological and research capabilities while laying the foundation for potential joint scientific and innovation-driven projects with BRICS nations.

 

 

Iran to Host BRICS STI Steering Committee Meetings in 2025

Opening the workshop at Pardis Technology Park, Sajjad Ahadzadeh, President of the CPDI, reaffirmed I.R. Iran’s commitment to strengthening its collaboration with BRICS. He underscored the critical role of technology and financial partnerships in shaping the future of joint initiatives between Iran and BRICS nations.

 

 

In a major announcement, Ahadzadeh confirmed that Iran will host the BRICS Science, Technology, and Innovation Steering Committee meetings in 2025, with a focus on Geospatial Information Technology, New and Renewable Energy and Research Infrastructure.

 

Irina Kuklina, senior member of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, also addressed the audience, providing insights into BRICS’ scientific and technological initiatives and the mechanisms driving the committee’s work.

 

 

Strengthening Financial and Investment Cooperation within BRICS

The second day of the workshop, hosted by the Iran National Innovation Fund (INIF), focused on financial collaboration and investment strategies as well as an overview of the BRICS New Development Bank. Experts from the BRICS Expert Council-Russia explored funding mechanisms for multilateral development banks (MDBs) and BRICS investment funds.

 

Yaroslav Sorokotyaga, Director of the Division of International Programs at the Russian Centre for Science Information highlighted “the BRICS Science, Technology, and Innovation Framework Program” and “the BRICS Funding Working Group” in a keynote address to the audience. Sorokotyaga also outlined a number of completed and ongoing joint projects within the BRICS Science, Technology, and Innovation Framework Program.

 

 

 

BRICS and Future of Multipolar World

On the final day of the workshop, Shahid Beheshti University hosted Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, who explored BRICS’ growing role in shaping a multipolar world order. Panova highlighted BRICS’ long-term vision for scientific and technological cooperation, underscoring the group’s commitment to sustainable development and innovation-driven growth. Panova also outlined key BRICS-led initiatives, including the New Development Bank, the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), the BRICS Business Council, the BRICS Women's Business Alliance, the BRICS Business Incubator, the Economic Growth Platform, the Energy and Climate Change Research Platforms, the BRICS Young Scientists Forum, the BRICS Think Tank Council, the BRICS Civil Council and the BRICS Network University (BRICS NU).

 

 

Iran and Russia Sign MoM to Boost BRICS Cooperation

The third day of the workshop also witnessed a key meeting between the president of the CPDI and the head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia at the Center for Progress and Development of Iran Presidency. Ahadzadeh and Victoria Panova signed an MoM at the end of the meeting, reinforcing Iran-Russia collaboration within the BRICS framework. The agreement focuses on expanding scientific, technological, and innovation partnerships, facilitating joint research and technology transfer, establishing technology hubs and innovation clusters, developing high-tech zones, science and technology parks and incubators as well as establishing joint research centers and laboratories aligned with BRICS strategies.

 

 

A high-level roundtable at the CPDI, a pivotal center shaping Iran’s future engagement with BRICS in science, technology and innovation, brought together the Russian delegation and key Iranian officials from leading scientific and technological organizations on the final day of the Tehran workshop. The event was attended by Mohammadsadegh Khayatiyan, Head of the INIF; Hossein Rouzbeh, Head of the Organization for the Development of International Scientific and Technological Cooperation; Seyed Mahmoud Reza Aghamiri, President of Shahid Beheshti University; and Farhad Yazdandoust, Head of the Center for International Scientific Cooperation (CISC) of I.R. Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology (MSRT).

 

 

The Tehran BRICS workshop marks a significant turning point in Iran’s pursuit of multilateral scientific and technological cooperation. By actively strengthening innovation-driven partnerships and strategic investments within the BRICS, Iran is positioning itself as a leading force in bloc’s evolving economic and scientific landscape.