The first conference of ministers of science and technology of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) member states will be held in Tehran on January 22-24, IRNA reported.
Describing the ministerial meeting as “the biggest scientific-diplomatic event in Iran,” Aydin Molazadeh, the advisor and assistant to the minister of science said the event aims at promoting international interaction in light of huge progress in science and technology as outlined in the directions of the Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, as well as the plans devised by the government.
Representatives from 60 countries as well as some major international institutions will attend the conference, whose main session will be held Monday to be preceded by a session of senior officials on Sunday.
Molazadeh hoped that the high-profile event will help pave the way for enhancing future scientific cooperation among NAM member countries.
Founded in Belgrade in 1961, the Non-Aligned Movement is a group of states that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. Originally formed as an attempt to thwart the Cold War, the movement now has 118 members.
After the end of the Cold War, NAM redefined itself and reinvented its purposes. It has emphasized its principles of multilateralism, equality, and mutual non-aggression in attempting to become a stronger voice for the global South, and an instrument that can be utilized to promote the needs of member nations at the international level and strengthen their political leverage when negotiating with developed nations.
Iran was elected rotating head of the movement at the 16th NAM summit in Tehran in 2012.
