In a message forwarded to the Fifth International Conference on Global Coalition against Scientific Apartheid, with a focus on “Science and Technology Justice in the New World Order”, Pezeshkian emphasized that science constitutes one of humanity’s most fundamental shared assets and serves as a primary pillar for the progress and development of human societies.
Scientific and technological achievements can truly serve humanity and enhance the quality of life within societies only when they are based on the principles such as ethical responsibility, international cooperation, and equitable access for all to opportunities for both the creation of knowledge and the benefits derived from it.
The text, read by Chairman of the 5th International Conference on Global Coalition against Scientific Apartheid Davoud Ameri, states that, from this perspective, scientific justice is not merely a requirement for sustainable development, but a fundamental pillar of a just peace and human security globally.
Today, despite the increasingly intertwined destinies of nations through science and technology, significant inequalities persist regarding access to scientific resources, research infrastructure, advanced technologies, and opportunities to participate in the production of knowledge, the president underlined.
Scientific and technological apartheid does not merely entail depriving certain nations of access to scientific achievements, rather, it also encompasses any discriminatory use of science, technology, and research capabilities to create monopolies, dependency, and inequality among countries, he said, adding that such an approach stands in conflict with the transnational nature of science and the ethical principles of scientific practice.
Science should not serve as an instrument for domination or the pursuit of supremacy; rather, it should be directed toward resolving human problems, mitigating development challenges, enhancing public well-being, and fostering peace and mutual understanding among nations.
One of the most concerning manifestations in this realm is the imposition of sanctions against scientists, regardless of their nationality, religion, or geopolitical background. As assets belonging to humanity as a whole, any harm to their lives or security constitutes a blow to collective scientific heritage and to humanity’s capacity for progress.
MNA/IRN 86317537
