Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO Emphasizes the Role of Universities in Addressing the Climate Change Crisis
The Regional Conference on Climate Change and Global Warming, supported by the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO and hosted by the Faculty of Earth Sciences at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS) in Zanjan, was held on 10–11 February 2026. The conference aimed to foster scientific collaboration and present scientific and practical solutions for managing the impacts of climate change. Bringing together professors, researchers, students, and representatives of executive agencies, the event provided a platform for scientific exchange and discussion of approaches to addressing the consequences of climate change. |
At the conference, Dr. Hassan Fartousi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, described climate change as one of the most significant challenges of the twenty-first century and an issue extending beyond a purely environmental concern. Referring to its consequences, including declining water resources, threats to food security, and the intensification of extreme events, he emphasized that effectively addressing the climate crisis requires linking knowledge, education, and social responsibility.
Highlighting UNESCO’s interdisciplinary approach, he underscored the significant role of universities and research centers in generating knowledge, educating future generations, and developing scientific solutions. He identified scientific, educational, and international cooperation as essential to strengthening communities’ resilience to the impacts of climate change. Dr. Fartousi also described the continued organization of this conference as a sign of the scientific community’s concern for the fundamental issues facing the contemporary world and regarded the Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS) in Zanjan as a suitable platform for scientific dialogue on climate issues.
During the conference, Dr. Saadollah Nasiri Gheidari, President of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences in Zanjan, also emphasized the role of universities in addressing the country’s major challenges, including climate change. He described the organization of specialized scientific conferences as a reflection of the scientific community’s dynamism and sense of responsibility.
In another part of the program, Professor Thoobouti, founder of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences in Zanjan, referred to the concerning climate trends of recent years, describing climate change as a challenge extending beyond the environment. He stressed the need to raise public awareness, strengthen scientific research, and enhance the active role of universities.
