TEHRAN – Top Iranian and Russian technology companies signed five memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, smart government, blockchain and fintech, regulators, technology parks, and postal services to boost cooperation in the field of information and communication technology (ICT).
The memorandum of understanding was signed on Friday during the 5th Iran-Russia ICT Forum held in Russia from December 6 to 7, IRNA reported.
An Iranian delegation led by Deputy Minister of ICT and Innovation Meisam Abedi attended the forum.
Referring to the strategic partnership between Iran and Russia, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali said that both countries have high capabilities and expanding cooperation is beneficial for both sides.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation Alexander Shoitov said that today’s memorandum and agreement are the result of continuous efforts over the past several years.
“Today, we celebrate the fruits of many years of hard work with our partners. We can confidently say that cooperation is definitely moving forward.
So far, our two countries have signed a number of memorandums of understanding, and new areas of cooperation are opening up in our bilateral exchanges that will benefit the peoples of both countries,” Shoithov further said.
Mr. Abedi said the agreement was the result of three years of continuous cooperation between the two countries’ ministries of information and communications.
He called on Iranian and Russian companies to seriously follow up on the implementation of memorandums and agreements and remove possible obstacles with the support of government departments of both countries.
The official went on to propose putting third countries on the agenda as a common market for Iranian-Russian products, and expressed hope that the two countries would sign a memorandum of understanding on a common market by the sixth forum.
Cooperation with Iran in emerging technologies
In May, Russian Presidential Advisor Andrei Fursenko emphasized the importance of promoting partnership and cooperation with Iran in emerging technologies.
It is true that focusing on already established technologies is not in the interests of either country. Therefore, it is essential to put on the agenda technologies that are not yet (fully) developed, which is a much more difficult task, Fursenko said, IRNA said.
The official made the remarks on Friday at the Iran-Russia Diplomatic Conference on the sidelines of the International Innovation and Technology Exhibition (INOTEX 2025) held from April 29 to May 2 in Tehran, and during a meeting with Hossein Rousbeh, Director-General of the Organization for International Cooperation and Development in Science and Technology, and Mehdi Safarinia, Director of Pardis Technology Park.
“Developing new technology involves risks, but we must not forget our priorities, because there is no other way to be the first in the world,” the Russian official added.
Safarinia said that Iran is committed to promoting international scientific cooperation, and emphasized that Russia is among the countries willing to expand ties with Iran.
The official also said that Russian companies can set up offices in Pardis Technology Park. The second point mentioned by Safrinia was the establishment of branches of Russian universities in the country. “We have already reached agreements with St. Petersburg University and Moscow State University. We are following up on this issue in cooperation with the University of Science and Technology.”
This will be the first foreign university to have a branch campus in Iran. Both Iranians and regional students can study at this university and spend part of their studies in Iran and the rest in Russia,” Safarinia further stated.
The official also announced that as members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS, the two countries stand ready to further strengthen cooperation in research, education and market opportunities.
During diplomatic talks between Iran and Russia, the two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish two joint technology zones.
The memorandum of understanding was signed between the National Association of Knowledge-Based Enterprises in the Advanced Industry and Industrial Mining Sector, headed by Mohammad Mehdi Naibi, and Andrei Bezrukov, Chairman of the Russian Technology Sovereign Export Association.
Expansion of new technologies and joint research in the fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, health, ICT, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, oil and gas applications is one of the main focuses of the signed MOU.
The MoU focuses on production and market development, including co-branding and marketing, market research, product development, and distribution channel development.
MT/MG