Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the Science and Technology Research Center (Puspiptek) of the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education Dr Sri Setiawati participated in the 1st Asia Pacific Innovation Forum: Technology Startups for Sustainable Development in Tehran, Iran, on June 11-12, 2019.

The forum, organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Office of the Vice President for Knowledge and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran, was attended by government representatives, innovators, startup companies from 63 UNESCAP countries, academics, and students of Iran and foreign representatives in Tehran.

UNESCAP Executive Director Prof. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana and Iranian Vice President for Knowledge and Technology Dr. Sorena Sattari opened the meeting that laid emphasis on the significance of science, technology, and innovation as a vehicle for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The occasion also featured the Asia-Pacific Start-up Network and the UNESCAP report titled "Establishing Science and Technology Parks: A Reference Guidebook for Policymakers in Asia and the Pacific".

Sri Setiawati, during her presentation, shed light on the profile of the center that has been developed as one of the national science and technology park (STP), becoming an area of technology-based business development and innovation, supporting research and facilitating the development of new innovations, the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran noted on Saturday .

She also reiterated the significance of STP as a driver of economic development. To this end, policies are necessary to support STP, encompassing capacity building, infrastructure development, and optimization of FDI.

Puspiptek has forged collaboration with all domestic and foreign parties, government and private parties. With Iran, Puspiptek has collaborated including by visiting and sharing information and experiences.

In future, the cooperation will be further deepened. During the meeting, several parties were keen to collaborate with Puspiptek.

In terms of bilateral cooperation with Iran, Puspiptek has collaborated with Pardis Techno Parks, INIC, and Isfahan Techno Parks.

Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019