Dr. Mohammad-Reza Mokhber Dazfoli, the President of the Academy of Sciences, emphasizing the Academy’s role in the scientific leadership of the country said: “With the support of Dr. Aref and the efforts of prominent scholars, the development of artificial intelligence, quantum science and the country’s science & technology has reached an acceptable point, and the Academy of Sciences has today become one of the main actors in the country’s scientific policy-making.” He said that in the recent General Assembly of the Academy, held with the presence of Dr. Mohammad-Reza Aref, the First Vice President and a Full Member of the Academy, and other members, he pointed to the Academy’s recent activities in emerging scientific fields: “The National Document for Artificial Intelligence, which is now in implementation, was one of the main proposals of the Academy of Sciences, and the direct support of Dr. Aref and the affiliated body caused this field in the country to find a suitable position.” He added: “Today the Academy’s Artificial Intelligence group, led by Dr. Javad Salehi and a number of the country’s distinguished scientists, is doing serious work in this field.” He added: “In the quantum technology domain the same procedure is being pursued, and a group of specialists at the Academy are engaged in reviewing and scientifically directing it. We believe the future of the country depends on scientific mastery of these fields.” Formation of the Young Scientists Network of the Academy of Sciences Dr. Mokhber Dazfoli, referring to major actions of the Academy in recent months, said: “The Academy of Sciences hosted the Mustafa Young Prize, which is a valuable initiative for identifying and supporting young scientific talents in the country. Accordingly, we have approved in the Scientific Council of the Academy the formation of the Young Scientists Network of the Academy of Sciences. Today more than 100 young faculty members at the level of Associate Professor and Professor are members of this network, and this body is being expanded.” He added: “These young researcher-scientists with high motivation are active in different scientific fields and play an effective role in science & technology monitoring and global trend analysis. Our goal is that the voice of the new generation of the country’s science be heard in national decision-making.” Inter-institutional cooperation and the Academy’s role in national decision-making The President of the Academy of Sciences, referring to recent collaborations with other national bodies, said: “For the first time, a memorandum of cooperation between the Academy of Sciences and the Expediency Discernment Council of the System is under preparation so that we may play a direct role in revising the country’s science & technology outlook. Given the Supreme Leader’s emphasis on the review of these documents, the Academy has been tasked with preparing science & technology–related provisions as a priority.” He added: “The Academy of Sciences is ready to cooperate with the government and executive bodies in the form of joint regulations. This joint regulation proposal, raised by Dr. Aref, is currently under review and drafting.” Increasing the share of science & technology in GDP — an unavoidable necessity Dr. Mokhber Dazfoli, pointing to the small share of R&D in GDP, said: “If we expect the country to leap in the field of science & technology, we must raise the research & development share to at least 2% of GDP. Today the entire budget of the Ministry of Science is around one billion USD, while if this share reaches about 10 to 15 billion USD then a scientific revolution in the country will occur.” He emphasized: “With this increase, one can create fundamental transformations in areas such as energy, water, food security and the nation’s complex issues. Our country possesses talented human resources and high intelligence coefficient; we only need financial backing and courageous policy-making.” Invitation to participate in scientific decision-making of the country In conclusion, the President of the Academy of Sciences, thanking the support of professors and officials, said: “Fortunately today a new atmosphere has emerged in the country in which the academies play a role in major scientific decision-making. Of course we have not yet reached the ideal point, but the path has begun. I invite all professors and members of the Academy to actively participate in policy-making processes and responding to the scientific needs of the government. The Academy of Sciences stands with full capacity in service of the country's scientific progress.