Ibn Sina Public Foundation was established by the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in January 1999. Over the past five years, eight domestic and fifteen prestigious international awards have recognized the Foundation's activities.

During the bilateral exchange of official visits on September 14-15, 2022, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi to Uzbekistan, and on June 18 this year, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Iran, current issues of further developing multifaceted relations and practical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Iran in priority areas were considered. Several intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents were signed. Among them is the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ibn Sina Public Foundation (Uzbekistan) and the Avicenna Cultural and Scientific Foundation (Iran).

In turn, the Ibn Sina Foundation initiated the organization of the first scientific expedition to Iran to study the heritage of the famous scientist, to further promote the political image of Uzbekistan in the international arena, and develop the scientific and cultural potential of the country, establish business and scientific contacts with research institutes and Iranian scientists, gain access to book depositories, original manuscripts, and their copies, organize joint linguistic translations and research activities, making a documentary film about Abu Ali ibn Sina.

The Foundation formed a scientific group of 10 people from among the employees of the Academy of Sciences, the Center for Islamic Civilization, the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry, the Cultural Heritage Agency of Uzbekistan, the Institute of Oriental Studies named after Abu Rayhan Beruni and the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan (NTRC).

On July 14, 2023, the Uzbekistan delegation flew to Tehran to study the scientific and cultural heritage of Abu Ali ibn Sina. At the Imam Khomeini International Airport, the delegation was met by the Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Iran B. Abdullayev, and representatives of the Avicenna Cultural and Scientific Foundation.

A working meeting was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Islamic Republic of Iran, during which the details of organizing and conducting the first scientific expedition of Uzbekistan to Iran to study the scientific heritage of Abu Ali ibn Sina were discussed.

Then Uzbekistan delegation visited the National Library of Iran, where an introductory tour was organized, including a special repository of precious manuscripts and a roundtable discussion.

During the visit, the researchers also visited the Isfahan University of Technology. An event organized here was attended by the leadership and specialists of this university, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, and Avicenna scientists. The Isfahan University of Technology was awarded the Abu Ali ibn Sina Prize and a memorable souvenir of the Ibn Sina Foundation. Following the visit, the Iranian Foreign Ministry organized a tour of the historical sights of Isfahan.

Then the delegation members visited Abu Ali ibn Sina University in Hamedan, the Cultural Heritage Center, and the Abu Ali ibn Sina complex, where the grave of our compatriot is located.

The Uzbekistan delegation, observing Islam’s cultural and religious traditions, paid tribute to our great compatriot and recited a prayer – Tilavat.

Then the guests visited the museum and library on the complex’s territory.

The delegation also visited the Avicenna Cultural and Scientific Foundation, where the results of the work of the first official expedition of Uzbekistan to Iran to study the heritage of Abu Ali ibn Sina were summed up, and prospects for further bilateral scientific and cultural cooperation were defined.

It should be noted that NTRC journalists filmed over 12 hours of photo and video material during the expedition. 17 thematic video materials were prepared and broadcast on the air for each event held in the “No Comment” and “Mobile Report” formats, shown on the state TV channel “O’zbekiston Tarikhi”.

At the same time, the expedition’s work from Uzbekistan in Iran was widely covered in the Iranian media.

To further develop the Uzbekistan – Iran scientific and cultural cooperation, the Ibn Sina Foundation proposed organizing, within the framework of the upcoming XII International Avicenna Readings in Bukhara in October 2023, a scientific and practical conference on “Abu Ali ibn Sina and Civilization” and Uzbekistan – Iran scientific roundtable discussion. The Iranian side showed readiness and great interest to participate in the event.

N. Makhmudov,

Chairman of the Board of Ibn Sina Public Foundation.

UzA