Afshin was speaking at the First Conference of Afghan Elites on Saturday, which was attended by the deputy of the Organization of Islamic Culture and Relations and the head of the Organization for the Development of International Technological Relations as well as a number of Afghan technologists at the Pardis Technological Park. 

 

The Iranian vice president noted that borders cannot limit elites, saying, "Here, at this moment, not in the distant past, but in the reality of today, something is being shaped, a future that no longer sees Iran and Afghanistan as separate". 

 

Referring to the deep cultural and historical commonalities between Iran and Afghanistan, Afshin said, "We are a nation that has grown from one root, with one language, one history, one culture and we are the children of Ferdosi, Bidel, and Rumi". 

 

He further stressed that borders are only on maps and that the bonds between Iranians and Afghans have been etched in their souls and hearts for a thousand years. 

 

In other comments, the Iranian vice president said supporting the education of Afghan children in Iran was not a decision out of pity, but due to understanding. 

 

Afshin added that Iran’s Supreme Leader has ordered that Afghan children be allowed to study in Iranian schools without worry or discrimination, because elites cannot be limited by walls. 

 

The head of the Iranian National Elites Foundation spoke about the possibility of incorporating Afghan knowledge-based companies in Iran. 

 

He said Iranian universities are open to Afghans not only for education but

also for teaching, research, and innovation and noted that Afghan knowledge-based firms can be registered in the Islamic Republic. 

 

Afshin said Afghan elites are no longer immigrants but are considered part of Iran's technology and innovation ecosystem. 

 

As the vice president for science and technology, my first responsibility is to support Iranian elites, he said. 

 

Afshin however underlined that progress does not happen in isolation and no country has reached the peaks of science by building a wall around itself. What is important today is synergy, and we must connect with the elites, the Iranian vice president added. 

 

In further remarks, Afshin said Afghanistan is not just a neighbor, but also an opportunity to build a joint scientific and technological ecosystem where Iranian and Afghan elites can work together. 

 

He went on to note that through joint work, Iranian and Afghan elites can shape the future of both nations as they do not want to just recount the past, but rather build the future, which belongs to those who have the courage to think and create. 

 

The First Conference of Afghan Elites is taking place on February 15 and 16, 2025, with the support of the office of the Iranian Vice President for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy. The event is happening at the invitation of the International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Development Organization and its purpose is to allow exchanging innovative ideas, outlining scientific solutions, and creating a platform for interaction between Afghan elites and Iranian knowledge-based companies.