Knowledge-based Iranian companies will demonstrate their latest developments and products at the International Week of Innovative Ideas (InnoWeek 2026). The event is scheduled for October 27-29 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The exhibition is organized by the Agency for Innovative Development under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of Uzbekistan. This year's theme is 'Advanced Innovations for a Changing World.' The exposition will feature areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, biotechnology and biomedicine, green energy and environmental technologies, industrial engineering and advanced manufacturing, pharmaceutical and medical instruments, agriculture, water and energy resources, mining, construction, chemical and petrochemical industries, and information technology.
The event will bring together scientists, startup founders, investors, and government representatives. It provides the Iranian delegation with an opportunity to participate in panel discussions, seminars, round tables, showcase the achievements and potential of Iranian companies, and conduct bilateral (B2B) meetings. Furthermore, the exhibition includes startup competitions, masterclasses, training sessions, and direct meetings with potential investors.
The International Week of Innovative Ideas has been held since 2018 with the aim of accelerating innovative development in Uzbekistan, promoting technologies across all sectors of the economy, and developing human capital, science, and innovation.
Joint Scientific Research
This year, the second joint competition between the Iranian National Science Foundation (INSF) and the Agency for Innovative Development under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan supported the implementation of ten research projects. The goal of this competition was to stimulate international scientific cooperation, improve the quality of joint research, and utilize the technological capabilities of both countries.
Competition grants were allocated for scientific and technical programs and projects in the fields of: environment and agriculture; water conservation and irrigation technologies; gene editing for drought-resistant and salt-tolerant plants; desertification and dust reduction; materials science; exploration and processing of rare earth elements; advanced materials; as well as mining and metallurgy. The grant amounted to 30 billion rials (approximately 13,000 US dollars) per project for up to three years. If an Iranian researcher published scientific articles in Q1 or Q2 journals or had joint patent ownership with an Uzbek researcher, the total grant amount increased to 40 billion rials (about 17.3 US dollars).
In November 2025, Minister of Science Hossein Simai-Sarraf and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed ways to promote scientific and technical cooperation. This meeting took place on the sidelines of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from October 30 to November 13. During the meeting, Mirziyoyev stated Tashkent's readiness to develop cultural, scientific, and technological cooperation with Iran, according to the Mehr agency.
In turn, Simai-Sarraf emphasized the importance of strengthening academic and scientific ties between the two states and invited an Uzbek official to visit Iran. Both sides stressed the need to enhance scientific diplomacy and bilateral relations.