Conclusions of the Meeting between the Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Medical Sciences of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine of the United States of America.

The Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Medical Sciences of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine of the United States of America agree to hold up to six workshops over the next two years on topics of important interest of the Academies. The workshop topics will be determined by mutual agreement of the Academies and will focus on the situations in Iran and the United States. Possible areas for these workshops include:

1. Protection of ecology and resources of the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf;

2. Life-long education in science and engineering, including K-12, teacher training, university education, continuing education, open-learning, and distance education;

3. Epidemiology of smoking and drug addiction and their consequences;

4. Measurement and control of air, water, and soil pollution in mega-cities with a focus on Tehran;

5. Science and ethics: (a) ethics in the use of scientific knowledge, and (b) science and ethics in democratic societies;

6. Conservation of resources and manpower: attitudes, policies, and technological opportunities;

7. Conservation and recycling of water and methods for enhancing water supplies;

8. Future energy supply and demand options in Iran and their associated environmental and health impacts, including special consideration of solar and other renewable resources;

9. Lessons learned from recent earthquakes and advances in earthquake engineering applicable to existing and new buildings in Iran;

10. Developing the base for scientific and technological advances in Iran with special attention to alleviating the negative consequences of brain drain;

11. Steps to help ensure food security in Iran;

12. Transportation policy with emphasis on accident treatment and reduction; and

13. Capabilities of developing countries to utilize available information technologies and know-how.

For these workshops, the Iranian Academies and the American Academies agree to cover the cost of the international travel of their respective representatives and the local costs of the workshops held in their respective countries. The Academies expect that up to three workshops will be held in 2001 and up to three workshops will be held in 2002. Three of the workshops will be held in Iran, and three in the United States. The timing, location, and topic of each workshop will be decided by mutual agreement of the Academies with sufficient time being allowed for preparation and planning of the workshops and for inviting appropriate scientific, engineering, medical, and other experts. It is expected that each workshop will consist of approximately fifteen invited participants.

In addition, the American Academies are willing to cover the cost of the participation of a young Iranian scientist in its summer intern program on science policy in 2001 and another young Iranian scientist in its summer intern program in 2002. Opportunities for young American scientists and engineers to participate in science policy activities in Iran will also be explored.

The Academies will also work to overcome obstacles and enhance opportunities for exchange of scientists, scholars, and students between the United States and Iran.

Signed by the following on 28 Shalrivu 1379, September 18, 2000:

Dr. Reza Davari Ardakani

President

Academy of Sciences of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Dr. Iradj Fazel

President

Academy of Medical Sciences of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Dr. Bruce Alberts

President

National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Dr. William A. Wulf

President

National Academy of Engineering of the United States of America

Dr. David Challoner

Foreign Secretary

Institute of Medicine of the United States of America

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