On September 29, 2023, Dr. Iqbal Chaudhary, the Coordinator General of COMSTECH (Organization of Islamic Cooperation Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation), visited the Pasteur Institute of Iran and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dr. Rahim Sorouri, the Director of Pasteur Institute of Iran.

The agreement entails the development and implementation of joint educational programs, research, technology, and innovation initiatives, as well as the organization of national and international events such as conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and courses. Additionally, the MOU aims to facilitate the exchange of students, experts, and academic staff members for professional development and enhancing scientific activities. The Pasteur Institute of Iran will also become a member of COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) as per the agreement.

During the meeting, Dr. Iqbal Chaudhary acknowledged the Pasteur Institute of Iran as a valuable opportunity for expanding COMSTECH's cooperation. He recognized the institute's distinguished reputation in Iran and worldwide, particularly in the field of infectious diseases and vaccines. Dr. Chaudhary requested the institute's close collaboration with COMSTECH, which was agreed upon.

During the meeting, Dr. Rahim Sorouri, the director of Pasteur Institute of Iran, presented the institute's activities and capabilities and expressed their willingness to establish comprehensive scientific collaboration with COMSTECH.

During the meeting, several directors and faculty members from Pasteur Institute of Iran highlighted the institute's capabilities and proposed ideas for collaborative efforts. It was ultimately agreed that regular coordination meetings would be held to solidify future agreements.

It should be noted that COMSTECH was established during the third summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in 1981, with the mission of strengthening cooperation between member countries in science and technology. This includes training in new fields, implementing resolutions, proposing programs, and increasing Muslim countries' abilities in science and technology to foster a scientific culture and contribute to socio-economic development and industrialization.

Established in 1920 through an agreement between the Iranian government and the Pasteur Institute of Paris, the Pasteur Institute of Iran is a renowned research and public health center in Iran and the Middle East. Its mission is to conduct advanced research and provide innovative programs in basic and applied medical sciences, with a focus on infectious diseases. The institute also produces vaccines, injectable solutions, and diagnostic kits, while bridging the gap between applied research and industry. Widely recognized as a leading center for vaccine development and manufacture, the Pasteur Institute of Iran has played a vital role in preventing and controlling infectious diseases both nationally and internationally for over a century. Its achievements have earned it a prestigious reputation in the field of infectious disease prevention and control.