The Secretary-General, Ambassador Dato’ Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari visited Iran during the period from 16 to 18 July, 2018 where he and the accompanying delegation, were welcomed to the city of Hamedan (the host of the D-8 International University) and the capital Tehran.

During the visit to Hamedan, the Secretary General was welcomed by the Governor General of the city, Mr. Mohammad Nasser Nikbakht, where they exchanged views about Iran’s initiative to host the D-8 International University, as well as the lofty touristic potential of the city, being nominated the Capital of Asian Tourism 2018.

In Hamedan, he was also received at the premises of the Bu-Ali Sina University by Professor Yaghoub Mohammadifar, the Chancellor of the University and the high level administrative staff. The Secretary General was briefed about the modalities of the establishment of the D-8 International University inside the campus and the details of the proposed disciplines to be included in its programmes. Moreover, he had a tour in the campus where he scrutinized the facilities of the different faculties of the Bu-Ali Sina University. He expressed his happiness with the state of readiness of the University in offering its campus to the students of the D-8 Member States, as well as linking the D-8  Universities to the big Islamic scholar Bu-Ali Sina.

In Tehran, the Secretary-General was received by the Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Dr Mansour Gholami, on 17 July 2018 at the latter’s office where they exchanged views pertaining Science and Technology cooperation between the D-8 member States through the D-8 Network of Pioneers for Research and Innovation (D-8 NPRI), as well as the proposed D-8 International University.

The Secretary-General also visited the President of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, Iran (ICCIMA), Mr. Gholam Hossein Shafei on the same day. Secretary-General updated the President of ICCIMA of the latest meeting held in Turkey to finalize the Draft Statute of D-8 CCI and on the active participation of the private sector.

On 18 July 2018, Ambassador Ku Shaari called on Dr. M. Javad Zarif, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the latter’s office. The two interlocutors held a fruitful and effective discussion in a cordial atmosphere. The Secretary-General informed the Minister of the latest developments taking place within the Organization and conveyed his appreciation and thanks for the initiative of Iran to host the Secretariat of the D-8 Technology Transfer and Exchange Network (D-8 TTEN) and the D-8 International University which will highlight the strengthening of scientific and technological cooperation among Member States. They also exchanged views over the different fields of cooperation, especially the engagement of private sector to achieve more tangible results and the initiative to use local currency in trade among the Member States. Ambassador Ku Shaari sought the Minister’s support in furthering these agenda to consolidate the partnership among the Member States. Minister Zarif warmly appreciated the Secretary-General and assured him of all cooperation. He mentioned that Islamic Republic of Iran always attached high importance to increasing trade and economic activities among the D-8 Members and assured the Secretary-General of all efforts on the part of Iran

Earlier, the Secretary-General visited Mr. Gholamreza Ansari, the Deputy Minister for Economic Diplomacy and Ambassador Majid Bizmark the D-8 Commissioner of Iran on the same day. Besides many issues, they exchanged views on the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and ways to tackle the challenge impeding its full implementation. The Secretary-General thanked the distinguished Iranian officials for availing their time, and the great opportunity to exchange views regarding important matters of cooperation and the active Iranian role.