GENEVA – Iran's Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute and Russia's Federal Research Center for Virology and Microbiology (ARRIAH) have held high-level talks on the sidelines of the 9th Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) working group session in Geneva, exploring avenues for joint collaboration in veterinary research, vaccine development, and biosafety.

 

The meeting followed an ARRIAH-hosted seminar introducing its research and educational capacities. Discussions focused on strengthening ties between reference laboratories, pursuing a Laboratory Twinning program under WOAH guidelines, launching joint research initiatives, and facilitating vaccine strain exchange in accordance with relevant regulations.

 

Razi Institute's WOAH Reference Laboratory for sheep and goat pox was highlighted as a key area of mutual interest. Both sides agreed to schedule a follow-up online meeting with senior management and technical experts to identify specific cooperation frameworks and actionable programs.

 

ARRIAH, founded in 1958 and operating under Russia's Rosselkhoznadzor, is a premier veterinary research center recognized by WOAH as an international and regional reference laboratory for economically significant animal diseases.

 

The engagement took place during the BWC session at the Palais des Nations (August 17–21, 2026) and marks a meaningful step forward in Iran-Russia scientific and technical collaboration, spanning vaccine production, biosafety, knowledge exchange, and reference laboratory activities.