Reports

Abstract The bill to amend Clause (1) of Article (2) of the Law Supporting Artists, Craftsmen, and Handicraft Activists aims to change the supervising authority over the activities of carpet and handwoven rug artisans. This provision conditions the absence of active participants in this field during specified hours—which could lead to the loss of their insurance—on the assessment of work progress by inspectors from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts. However, the bill proposes to transfer the inspection authority from this ministry to the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade. Since carpet and rug activities are related to the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade, which is recognized as the policymaking body in this area, the generalities of the bill are approved. However, considering that the insurance sector for handicrafts under the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts also faces similar limitations and issues regarding the insurance of artists, craftsmen, and activists, it seems necessary to consider the evaluations of experts from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts based on specific criteria relevant to this field. It is worth noting that, according to available data, the number of individuals covered by the insurance under the mentioned law in 1402 was 216,336, of which 32,606 were handicraft artists and 183,730 were carpet weavers and rug makers. In fact, about 15% of those employed in handicrafts and 85% in carpet weaving and rug making are represented; therefore, it is suggested that in addition to the amendments proposed in the bill, further revisions should be made to clarify the supervisory authority in the handicraft sector.

Abstract The method of distribution and expansion of education and training departments shows that, in the past two decades, on average, more than one department has been added to the structure each year in an illogical manner; such that departments with low student populations have been established in close proximity to each other, while in some areas with high student populations and complex issues, there is no department or representation. On the other hand, due to reasons such as the automation of processes and the adoption of a school-centered approach, the existence of this number of departments (731) and representations (135) is not necessary, and by reducing them, in addition to decreasing the structural volume, other benefits in line with the implementation of the Seventh Development Plan will be achieved, including: Reduction of organizational structure and the ratio of administrative staff to educational staff (Clause "A" of Article 105), Reduction of central authority and increase of school autonomy in line with the school-centered approach (Clause "A" of Article 91), Increased productivity in the Ministry of Education (Note 1 of Article 2 of the Seventh Development Plan), Creation of integrated management, elimination of unnecessary structures, and prevention of redundancy (Clause "A" of Article 91), Acceleration of the completion of the automation of administrative processes, transparency, and e-government (Clause "A" of Articles 91 and 107). For this reason, it is suggested that, in the first stage, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Administrative and Recruitment Organization of the country, determine documented criteria using the capacity of representations, and then revise and reduce the distribution of departments and representations based on that. These criteria should be determined considering cultural and social considerations, student population, distance from neighboring departments, and the difficulty of access routes, in collaboration with the provincial education councils.

Abstract The media services sector, especially in the field of news and information, is one of the most important areas significantly impacted by the developments related to artificial intelligence tools, rapidly changing traditional methods and creating new opportunities. Designing precise and effective policies to leverage the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence in the news and information sector, while simultaneously addressing its challenges within the governance and media policy framework of the country, requires the identification and analysis of applications, opportunities, and challenges of artificial intelligence technology in this field. This issue is closely related to the overarching problem of media governance and cyberspace in the country, namely the decline of trust and authority of independent domestic media; as the confusion and negligence of the country's digital ecosystem in adopting necessary measures to effectively confront the widespread wave and growing market of artificial intelligence globally will exacerbate the disarray in the content of cyberspace and online platform services, ultimately diminishing the media authority of the country. Addressing these issues and enhancing Iran's position in the technical and content development of generative artificial intelligence initially requires a comprehensive understanding of the actions of the actors in this field, followed by the design of precise policy requirements and strategies to transition from the current state to the desired state, which is discussed in this report. This report identifies the opportunities and challenges in this area and presents its policy and legislative recommendations based on the analysis of these opportunities and challenges, detailing the responsibilities and authorities of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, policymakers, executive managers, and news agencies.

Abstract Given the emphasis of laws on the necessity of constructing and renovating married students' dormitories, an assessment of the development of these dormitories in universities shows that although there has been growth in the number and capacity of married students' dormitories following the ratification of the Family Support and Population Growth Law, a significant gap still exists between the needs of students and the current situation. Specifically, despite having 93,905 married students in public universities under the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology across the country (based on self-reported data from students), there are only 38 blocks of married students' dormitories with a capacity of 1,742. This means that for every 100 married students in the country, there is accommodation available for only two. Among the challenges facing universities in fulfilling Article (7) of the Population Growth Law are the lack of sustainable resources to secure the necessary funding for the construction and renovation of married students' dormitories, the lack of land required for building these dormitories in some major universities, the absence of future-oriented assessments to identify universities' needs for married students' dormitories, the aging of existing married students' dormitories in the country, the long waiting lists for receiving married students' accommodation, the lack of basic facilities in these dormitories, the absence of student involvement in dormitory management and maintenance, statistical challenges such as the reliance on self-reported marital status by students and the lack of indicators regarding the actual needs of students for married accommodation, the absence of regulations regarding prioritization between constructing married students' dormitories and providing housing deposit loans in different provinces, and the lack of regulations on how to allocate married dormitories to requesting students. 

Abstract The bill for the "Balanced Use of National Resources to Enhance the Level of Underdeveloped Areas" was introduced to the Islamic Consultative Assembly on 17/07/1403 (October 9, 2024) under registration number 241. This report examines the legal background of the bill, the executive performance of the law in the years 1397, 1398, and 1399 (2018, 2019, and 2020), and evaluates the single article of the bill and its accompanying note. The report supports the bill for several reasons, including the need to equip student dormitory infrastructure, laboratory and workshop equipment for universities and technical and vocational centers, and the necessity to update these sectors. It also emphasizes the need for universities and educational centers to advance construction projects (notably, over 90% of university budgets are spent on unavoidable costs such as salaries, leaving insufficient funds for construction and development). Additionally, the Seventh Development Plan's emphasis on a 50% increase in technical and vocational training in education and a 40% increase in this sector in higher education aligns with the approval of the single article of this bill. Furthermore, due to the reduced motivation of universities to enter into research contracts because of multiple deductions from their dedicated revenues, the accompanying note of the bill is also endorsed.

Abstract Article (4) of the proposed bill for the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts includes the duties and powers of this ministry with 57 clauses and seventeen notes. An examination of the 57 clauses in Article (4) of the bill shows that twenty clauses are related to cultural heritage, six clauses pertain to tourism, three clauses are in the field of handicrafts, and 28 clauses are drafted as shared responsibilities. Therefore, in a series of reports, the provisions of Article (4) of the bill were reviewed with an emphasis on the mentioned areas. Corresponding to the provisions of each section, amendments, additions, and expert opinions were provided. This report analyzes and reviews the fourth article of the bill on the objectives, duties, and powers of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts. The findings indicate that the proposed text of the bill lacks the necessary order and balance. To address the issue of disorder and mixing of the ministry's areas of activity in Article (4) of the bill, necessary sections were created. Consequently, out of the 28 provisions in this section, 25 provisions were amended, and three provisions were merged. Thus, 89% of the inter-sectoral provisions were revised. The remaining 11% of the inter-sectoral provisions were merged with other provisions due to thematic similarities. In the section of additions, twelve new notes were added to the relevant provisions to address gaps and deficiencies.

Abstract In the age of pervasive media, alongside transformations within the media sphere that reflect the emergence of new media and the proliferation of existing media, it seems that the official media of the country have not been sufficiently effective in reorganizing their media system in the new competitive space, and media authority has become the primary issue in the country's media sphere. One of the necessary pathways to address this issue is to identify the influential factors in reducing or increasing media authority and to recognize the factors and areas affected by the decline in media authority and to outline their dynamic relationships within a systemic dynamics framework. Accordingly, the variables identified in this report are extracted into a central cycle and four main clusters: Media Governance, Independence and Field of Activity, Competitor Power, and Media Efficiency. The extraction of these clusters was conducted within a qualitative study framework, utilizing multiple sources including brainstorming, library research from primary sources, and insights from various experts and thinkers in this field. The collection of these factors and their relationships, in connection with other dynamics, forms a structure that will serve as the basis for policymaker intervention and reforming decision-making methods in the area of media authority, assisting in the decision-making and planning process to adopt the most optimal and cost-effective solutions in this area, and eliminating or minimizing the occurrence of unintended or unforeseen consequences of decisions.

Abstract Despite the fact that optimization is one of the main solutions to address the energy imbalance challenges in the country, an examination of the indicators and the evaluation of actions taken and the performance of legal provisions in the field of optimization indicate ineffective implementation of laws and low efficiency across the entire energy production to consumption chain in the country. The increasing trend of energy intensity, the lack of performance in the energy optimization market and the environment after more than six years since its approval, the negligible performance of approved projects under Article (12) of the Law on Removing Barriers to Competitive Production after more than nine years, and the challenges in ensuring sustainable energy supply in the country due to the existing imbalance, especially in natural gas, electricity, and gasoline, all testify to this situation. Although multiple obstacles have hindered the proper implementation of energy optimization projects in the country, the absence of a unified and integrated management with sufficient authority on the energy demand side can generally be considered one of the reasons for the failure to achieve optimization goals. Under Part "2" of Clause "a" of Article (46) of the Seventh Development Plan, alongside the obligation to create an energy consumption optimization account as one of the main requirements for establishing an energy optimization market, the establishment of an "Organization for Energy Optimization and Strategic Management" is also mentioned as another requirement. Given the cross-sectoral nature of optimization and the necessity for integrated management on the energy demand side, the current structures' failure to function for optimization, and the existence of assigned duties in the Seventh Development Plan for the Organization for Energy Optimization and Strategic Management, the establishment of this organization should be a priority for the government to address the country's energy imbalance challenges.

Abstract This study, based on the concept of "training specialized human resources needed by the country" derived from Article 30, which has been developed from previous studies by the Research Center of the Parliament, examines the national division of labor for implementing this article. To this end, a conceptual model was used to analyze the issue in three stages: Assessing the status of specialized human resources needed by the country, Securing and allocating the necessary resources for training specialized human resources, and Educating and training the specialized human resources needed by the country. Accordingly, the assessment of the current situation within the framework of the conceptual model indicates that the first and second stages require reforms to achieve the desired status. These reforms in the first stage include merging existing higher education expansion councils and forming a cross-sectoral higher education expansion council under the Supreme Council of Science, Research, and Technology, utilizing the capacities of all relevant agencies and institutions (capable of assessing needs, priorities, and the job market) such as the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, and the Administrative and Recruitment Organization of the country. In the second stage, the quantitative and qualitative monitoring of human resources and the use of its results in resource allocation are emphasized, which currently lacks a specific responsible entity and is not conducted purposefully. In this regard, the proposal for institutional coherence and the use of the administrative, organizational, and scientific capacities of existing institutions (such as the Islamic World Science and Technology Monitoring Institute) within the framework of a national evaluation and quality assurance body for the higher education system was presented.

Abstract The present report examines how to support platforms and providers of audio-visual media services and determines violations and the methods of addressing them. As the landscape of new media evolves, the legislative frameworks of the country must also adapt to effectively oversee the challenges related to media services while fostering innovation and creativity. This report aims to outline mechanisms through which regulatory bodies can monitor the healthy and harmful behaviors of service and content-providing platforms with a balanced and layered approach. The initiation of these regulatory actions begins with self-regulation by the platforms, moving towards supportive measures, engaging with stakeholders, defining violations, and imposing penalties and regulatory measures by sectoral regulators, ultimately leading to the imposition of sanctions by judicial authorities when necessary. This report ultimately presents mechanisms that not only emphasize preventing crimes and violations but also enhance the capacity of media platforms for their economic sustainability in a competitive environment. The proposed framework of this draft aims to create a flexible and responsive media ecosystem (mature, healthy, and sustainable) that seeks to ensure public interests (of the country) on one hand and the rights of users and the interests of private sector actors on the other.

Abstract The present report examines the performance of pension funds regarding the implementation of Clause (h) of Note (20) of the Budget Law for the year 1402. According to this provision, pension funds are required to publish information related to insurance calculations, financial sustainability status, approved budgets, and financial performance, broken down by the specified headings. Additionally, the Social Security Organization is mandated to create a unified account for all its financial operations and to implement a mechanism for payments to the final beneficiaries. This report first provides an overview of the regulations and framework for information disclosure in pension funds. It then assesses the performance of pension funds, including the Social Security Organization, the Country Pension Fund, the Social Insurance Fund for Farmers, Rural Residents, and Nomads, and other funds. Overall, it can be stated that the information published by pension funds has not achieved the desired characteristics of good disclosure, including being targeted, timely, and reliable. Given these issues, it is recommended to enact a permanent law for the disclosure of information in pension funds, alongside strengthening the oversight mechanisms for the performance of pension funds to ensure higher quality disclosures in this area.

Abstract Having an up-to-date and reliable picture of the developments in the country's gross domestic product can effectively contribute to improving policymaking and more accurate monitoring of the macroeconomy. Given the delays of statistical authorities in this area and the repeated requests from members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly to address this shortcoming and provide a more timely picture of economic growth, the Research Center of the Parliament has endeavored to establish a computational infrastructure to estimate and present the country's economic growth on a monthly basis and as quickly as possible. The latest statistics published by the Central Bank regarding economic growth pertain to the summer of 2025, which indicate that the country's GDP grew by 2.7% and 2.3% compared to the same season of the previous year, with and without oil, respectively. However, the Statistical Center of Iran has announced the economic growth for the autumn season, which is not considered in this report due to differences in methodology. According to the calculations of the Research Center, the economic growth of the country in Dey 1403 (December 2024 - January 2025) compared to the same month of the previous year is estimated to be 1.8%, and the economic growth without oil is estimated at 1.3%. The results of these estimates indicate that in Dey 1403 (December 2024 - January 2025), compared to the same month of the previous year, the value added in the "Agriculture" sector grew by 3.5%, the "Crude Oil and Natural Gas" sector grew by 6.5%, the "Industries and Mines" sector experienced a negative growth of 1.6%, and the "Services" sector recorded a growth of 2.7%.

Abstract The examination of the budget bill for the year 1404 in the agriculture and natural resources sector revealed that the share of this sector from the total national credits, both in the form of credits for the "Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting" chapter and in the form of credits for the "Ministry of Agriculture Jihad and its affiliated agencies," has decreased compared to the approved amounts for the year 1403. As in previous years, the highest operational credits for the executive agencies affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad are allocated to the "Agricultural Research, Education, and Promotion Organization," while the highest capital asset acquisition credits are designated for the "Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization." In terms of programs related to this sector, the program "Scientific Research, Technology, and Innovation" has the highest operational credits, while the program "Development of Agricultural Water and Soil Infrastructure" has the highest capital asset acquisition credits. The budget for state-owned companies in the agriculture and natural resources sector also shows a 13.5% increase compared to the approved amounts for the year 2024. Furthermore, the examination of the budget line items for the year 1404 indicates that there has not been significant structural change in this bill in line with the goals of the Seventh Development Plan. In fact, for a considerable number of provisions of the Seventh Development Plan, including the reduction of products containing unauthorized pollutants from commonly consumed products, the reduction of imports of genetically modified animal feed, the cultivation of drought and salinity-resistant varieties, and the development of saline agriculture methods in the country's coastal areas, there are no clearly related budget line items in this bill. Therefore, suggestions have been made in the form of changing titles, reallocating, or creating new budget line items to increase alignment with the provisions of the Seventh Development Plan in the agriculture and natural resources sector.

Abstract Comparing the minimum wage with the poverty line provides significant insights into how and to what extent the minimum wage affects poverty. This report examines several conventional indicators for the impact of minimum wage policy, namely the ratio of minimum household income to the poverty line and employment in poor and non-poor households. The results indicate that the minimum wage has lagged behind inflation in the poverty line basket, and this lag has reduced the importance of employment in explaining the differences between the poor and the non-poor. The decrease in the real value of the minimum wage has led to a phenomenon known as "working poor," which contradicts the initial philosophy of the minimum wage. This result is particularly pronounced when comparing minimum household income with the provincial poverty line. Additionally, the results show that the impact of minimum wage policy on non-poor households close to the poverty line is significantly greater than on poor households; thus, while the minimum wage may not be very effective in lifting the poor out of poverty, it is more likely to prevent households from falling into poverty, as the welfare of non-poor households near the poverty line is significantly influenced by the minimum wage.

Abstract The review of the second section of the budget bill for the year 2025 indicates a significant increase in the credits for the transportation sector compared to the previous year. Given the extensive services provided by the transportation sector, the incomplete status of many construction projects in this sector, and its influential role in the economic development of the country and the fulfillment of the obligations of the Seventh Development Plan in the area of transit and maritime economy, this increase is deemed necessary and positive. This increase in funding includes approximately 70 trillion tomans in credits for state-owned transportation companies, 31.6 trillion tomans in government resources, and 79.6 trillion tomans from oil delivery permits. The screening and announcement of the suspension of credit allocation for certain construction projects in Appendix 1 of the budget bill, the allocation of 4.5 trillion tomans from traffic violation fines for the Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, and the forecast of 2.6 trillion tomans for driving projects in the air transportation sector are other positive aspects of this bill. In the approval of the budget bill for the year 2025, it is essential to add a new line item for each of the responsible agencies in the field of transportation safety in Table 7-1 of the 2025 budget bill to implement the operational program for enhancing the safety of the country's roads approved by the Supreme Council for Transport Coordination and Safety. It is also suggested that the quantitative goals of the transportation development program in Table 7 of the 2025 budget bill be aligned with the targets set for the transportation sector in Article 56 of the Seventh Development Plan. Securing the operational costs for establishing the National Transit Headquarters, which bears a significant portion of the government's obligations in the transit area under the Seventh Development Plan, is also recommended through a specific credit line.

Abstract This report examines the dimensions of the draft "Referral of Dispute between the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Government of the Republic of Korea to Arbitration." According to the report from the Central Bank Governor, approximately $7 billion of Iran's foreign reserves were blocked in South Korean banks in the late 1390s (2010s). This blockage, in addition to the lack of interest on deposits, has resulted in a $1 billion loss in the dollar value of these resources due to the depreciation of the South Korean won in recent years. In the first half of 1402 (2023), after negotiations, part of these resources (equivalent to €5.573 billion) was released by converting to euros through European banks and deposited into Qatari banks for the import of non-sanctioned goods. Given that the blockage and lack of cooperation from South Korea in transferring the country's resources and the depreciation of the won have imposed a loss of $1 billion on the country, the government has submitted the draft for international arbitration based on the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement ratified in 1382 (2003) (especially Article 12) and Article 139 of the Constitution, with dual objectives of pursuing legal rights for compensation due to the depreciation of the won and sending a political message to the international community regarding Iran's determination to assert its rights. The approval of the "Draft Referral of Dispute between the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Government of the Republic of Korea to Arbitration" is therefore unobjectionable.

Abstract Bilateral agreements, such as the draft on mutual administrative assistance in customs matters between Iran and Japan, play a crucial role in developing economic relations and building trust between countries. This draft aims to facilitate trade relations, accurately assess customs duties, and properly implement regulations related to imports and exports, serving as a complement to the "Agreement on Promotion and Mutual Protection of Investment between Iran and Japan" ratified in 1395 (2016). The trade index between the two countries has shown a relatively positive trend from 2004 to 2022, but global crises such as the 2009 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted it. The current draft includes a single article and 18 clauses and was approved after being passed by the Cabinet and the Economic Commission of the Parliament, with the addition of a clause regarding adherence to constitutional principles. The approval of this draft represents a significant step in strengthening economic relations between Iran and Japan.

Abstract Countries typically enhance their level of cooperation through various agreements, including economic, cultural, and others. One notable type of agreement in this context is bilateral legal cooperation treaties, which can be divided into several categories, including treaties on the transfer of convicts, mechanisms for legal and judicial cooperation, and extradition of criminals, such as the one present in the current treaty regarding the extradition of criminals between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Such treaties can invigorate the executive bodies of the country and help address potential gaps in the national legal system by utilizing a comparative perspective on the legal systems of other countries, while also facilitating interactions between the two countries and their citizens. The conclusion of such treaties enhances bilateral cooperation and significantly aids in the implementation and enforcement of civil laws and judgments. Therefore, from this perspective, it is considered beneficial and effective. The Judicial and Legal Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly has approved a clause to the single article to ensure compliance with Articles 77, 125, and 139 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the execution or amendment of this agreement, which is endorsed.

Abstract According to previous studies by the Research Center of the Parliament, the processes related to government construction projects face numerous challenges that can be traced at all different stages, from definition (by the government), approval (by the Parliament), execution (by the government), and oversight (by the government and Parliament). This report focuses solely on the approval stage and the role of the Parliament in the budgeting process of construction projects, thus comparing and examining the differences between the bill and the budget law for the year 2024 in the area of construction projects. The importance of this examination regarding the budget for the year 2024 is heightened because, with the change in the process of reviewing and approving the budget in the Islamic Consultative Assembly (according to the law amending Articles 180 and 182 of the Internal Regulations of the Islamic Consultative Assembly), the budget bill for the year 2024 was the first budget to be reviewed in two stages in the Parliament. According to the findings of this report, the total public construction credits for the year 2024 have grown by 0.3% from the bill to the law. If we break it down by components, there is a 0.6% increase in the construction credits of executive agencies (attached projects 1 of the budget), a 2.2% decrease in the construction credits of miscellaneous items (Table 9 of the budget and miscellaneous credits in Table 7-1), and a 2.1% increase in provincial construction credits (Table 10 of the budget). Therefore, it can be claimed that the changes in the volume of various sections of the construction budget in the Parliament have been very minor and minimal, which may be influenced by the new method of presenting the budget bill to the Parliament (in two stages).

Abstract In recent years, the separation of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development has become a contentious issue among the executive and legislative bodies of the country, as evidenced by the inclusion of this proposal in the agendas of the 11th (Record 549) and 12th (Record 250) Parliaments. For this purpose, the Research Center of the Islamic Consultative Assembly has conducted a comparative study on the missions related to "Housing and Urban Development" in 38 populous countries, aiming to enhance decision-making tools and relying on practical experiences. Examining the structure of ministries in these countries is of high importance for designing the new structure of the "Ministry of Housing, Urban Development, and Land Use" in Iran, as it can provide comprehensive and practical solutions to address urban development challenges and housing provision. Analyzing these international experiences can assist Iranian policymakers in designing strategies that are compatible with the country's economic, social, and cultural conditions and managing existing challenges more effectively. This report is the first part of this study, which examines and analyzes the keywords used in the names of ministries related to "Housing and Urban Development" and their subordinate institutions in the studied countries. The importance of this topic can be explained in four main areas: first, outlining the framework of duties and clarifying the responsibilities of the future institution; second, assisting in determining the scope of future research; third, improving the indexing of institutions to facilitate internal communications and access to information; and fourth, providing an initial picture of the structures of these institutions for a better understanding of the research and operational contexts of these ministries.

Abstract Given that the goal of the government is to provide public services that are high-quality, fast, and cost-effective, and that digital transformation in government, or in other words, e-government, reflects citizen-centered governance and interaction with diverse stakeholders; therefore, interoperability in e-government plays a significant role in the process of implementing digital transformation in government. Interoperability indicates the ability of government agencies to exchange information both internally and externally, as well as with citizens and the private sector, simplifying processes, facilitating data flow, communication, and system integration. For organizations to interact with one another and share the necessary information, it is essential to use specific frameworks and models. The Iranian government, like other countries, has begun its activities in the field of interoperability, which has led to the establishment of an interoperability framework and the formation of an interoperability working group in 2019 (1398 in the Iranian calendar). However, it is evident that despite these efforts, several years after the approval of the executive regulations for the establishment of the e-government interoperability framework (1397) and the National Data and Information Law (1401), there remains a weakness in interaction and collaboration among government agencies. This issue continues to pose interoperability challenges for related government policies. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the challenges facing the implementation of the electronic interoperability framework by examining the implications of higher-level documents, legal requirements, and the actions of the working group, and to develop appropriate policy packages and practical solutions.

Abstract The examination of the second part of the budget bill for the year 2025 (1404) in the area of rural and nomadic management and development indicates that the amount of credits identifiable from the relevant projects in the appendices, macro tables, and supplementary table is 44,115 billion tomans, which represents an increase of approximately 34.7% compared to the corresponding projects in the budget law for the year 2024 (1403). Considering the total public expenditures of the government in the first part of the budget bill for the year 2025 (4,956 trillion tomans), the total identifiable share of this sector from expenditures is equivalent to 0.9%, which is highly disproportionate compared to the approximately 26% share of rural and nomadic areas from the gross domestic product. This discrepancy poses challenges to achieving social justice in the country, which is a fundamental ideal of the Islamic Revolution. On the other hand, less than 5% of the identifiable credits are related to employment and rural economy. Overall, according to the findings, the second part of the budget bill for the year 2025 shows weak alignment with the goals and obligations of the seventh development plan, especially part "1" of clause "a" of Article (51), which pertains to the establishment of an organization for the development and prosperity of rural and nomadic affairs under the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad, and the priorities of rural and nomadic management and development, particularly in employment and production. Additionally, a budget has been allocated for the Vice Presidency for Rural Development and Underprivileged Areas for expenditures related to the rural economy, which is inherently contradictory to the aforementioned provision and is prohibited due to its inconsistency with clause "a" of Article (13) of the seventh development plan, requiring a two-thirds majority approval from representatives according to Article (181) of the Internal Regulations of the Parliament. In this context, suggestions have been proposed.

Abstract In Bahman 1403 (January-February 2025), the production and sales index of the industrial sector based on listed industrial companies experienced a decrease of 5.3% and 0.3% compared to the same month of the previous year. However, compared to the previous month, the production and sales index increased by 0.8% and 7.2%. In Bahman 1403, the production and sales index for the automotive and parts sector increased by 3.7% and 6.5% compared to the same month of the previous year, and compared to the previous month, the production and sales index increased by 11% and 28.3%. The production and sales index for the chemical sector, excluding pharmaceuticals, decreased by 6.8% and 1.1% compared to the same month of the previous year, while it increased by 4.9% and 9.6% compared to the previous month. In Bahman 1403, the monthly growth rate of prices for listed industrial companies increased by 3.4%, and the year-on-year growth rate rose by 6.3 percentage points compared to the previous month, reaching 34.4%. It is noteworthy that the annual average price index for listed industrial activities in Bahman 1403 increased by 1 percentage point compared to the previous month, showing a 25.6% increase.

Abstract This report examines the "Bill for Adding a Clause to Article (54) of the Cooperative Economy Law of the Islamic Republic of Iran." The bill proposes the addition of the phrase: "Failure to comply with monetary and banking laws and regulations by cooperatives operating in the monetary and banking sector, after three warnings from the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran," as the seventh clause of Article (54) of the Cooperative Economy Law. Under these conditions, cooperatives in the monetary and banking sector would receive warnings from the Central Bank and would ultimately be dissolved after three warnings. Currently, according to clause (5) of the aforementioned article, all types of companies and cooperative unions can be dissolved after receiving three warnings from the Ministry of Cooperatives. Expert analysis indicates that cooperatives operating in the monetary and banking sector must be supervised by the Central Bank due to their potential impact on the monetary system. Therefore, the subject proposed in the bill is logically assessed from an expert perspective. However, it should be emphasized that according to clause (r) of Article (1), Article (23), and Article (64) of the Central Bank Law of the Islamic Republic of Iran, approved in 1402, all credit cooperatives fall under the supervision of the Central Bank, which can impose necessary penalties for violations of these cooperatives according to Article (23). Thus, it seems that the subject of the bill is already addressed in the Central Bank Law, and there is no need for its re-approval. However, if the bill's proponents insist on its approval for reasons not mentioned in the bill's justification, there is no expert objection to this matter.

Abstract This report and a series of reports on monitoring social capital at the Research Center of the Parliament analyze and assess the social capital of governance across three platforms: Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram. The results indicate that the social capital of governance has relatively increased in 1402 (2023-2024). Trust in governance and, in general, social capital in 1402 is still somewhat influenced by the unrest of the previous year; however, economic issues have had the most significant impact on social capital. In the component of trust in governance, about 62% of incidents and events are related to economic conditions. On the other hand, the index of social participation has decreased, negatively affecting social capital. Factors that increase social capital are typically "newsworthy and event-driven" (such as the decrease in currency and gold prices, the increase in housing and marriage loans, and the normalization of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the UAE), while factors that decrease social capital are "trend-based and cumulative" (such as inflation and regulations related to dress codes, etc.). In summary, the factors that lead to the erosion of social capital can be attributed to two fundamental causes: The existence of cognitive knots in people's minds: Some news creates knots, doubts, and narratives in people's minds that, in the absence of explanation and clarification, become a source of distrust in governance. The unresolved status of cases: The conclusion of corruption and embezzlement cases, which have caused public distrust through revelations, is usually not communicated, thus damaging social capital.

Abstract Oversight of the performance of legal entities is one of the key issues in combating corruption and organizing the business environment in Iran. In this context, the project "Implementation of Smart Identity for Legal Entities in E-Government" was included among the "23" priority e-government projects in 1398 (2019) by a Cabinet resolution. The planning for this project was carried out in the form of 17 clauses and involved multiple stakeholders, including the National Registration Organization, the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Administrative and Recruitment Organization, the Tax Administration, and the Association of Certified Accountants in the country. This study examines the details of the project's implementation. Issues such as the lack of cooperation among agencies, deficiencies in the existing database information, weak legal enforcement mechanisms, technological challenges, resource shortages, ambiguities in the project charter, lack of oversight over the process of editing legal entity information, absence of updates and integration of laws, complex ownership structures of legal entities, weaknesses in the security of the relevant system and database, proxy shares, and the lack of categorization of the activities of legal entities have been identified as challenges. Proposed solutions to address these challenges include updating laws related to legal entities (including commercial law), preventing the proliferation and creation of complex ownership networks, establishing the necessary infrastructure to combat the formation and continuation of shell and paper companies, overseeing the activities of intermediary institutions in the registration process of legal entities, and providing training at both macro governance and individual levels.

Abstract Social and environmental challenges in the late 20th century and their transformation into crises in the 21st century have increasingly drawn attention to social issues within governance. As markets and industries are among the most significant actors in today's societies, and many of these challenges, particularly in the environment, are byproducts of their activities, the topic of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has gained special importance in preventing social and environmental risks globally. Industries and companies face numerous social and environmental risks, and various governments in Iran have not been able to adequately regulate and legislate in this area. The diverse and ambiguous state and quasi-state ownership structures, a charitable and performative approach to CSR, political pressures on companies for financial resources, corrupt economic relationships, greenwashing, and neglect of the internal environment of workplaces and host communities are among the main challenges of CSR in Iran. Regulations in the area of CSR, including Article (80) of the Sixth Development Plan, Article (22) of the Seventh Progress Plan, the regulations of the thirteenth government, and the 1404 budget bill, have not met the expectations of experts and activists in this field (although this trend was corrected in the 1404 budget law). The findings of this research indicate that policymakers should develop appropriate soft and incentive-based laws and regulations, focusing on transparency, to direct CSR resources toward the real needs of society, especially the host community. Subsequently, through evaluation and oversight, they should prevent the common corrupt practices in this area.

Abstract The Vienna and Strasbourg Agreements pertain to the establishment of an international classification of visual elements of marks and inventions. Although both agreements are related to international classification in the field of industrial property, they have differences. Given the country's need for the classification of visual trademarks and the classification of inventions, as well as the scientific and industrial exchanges between our country and other member countries of these two agreements, the accession of the Islamic Republic of Iran to these two agreements can contribute to synergy and cooperation in the international arena and help address the scientific and industrial needs of the country. Therefore, the final approval of the proposal by the Judicial and Legal Commission of the Parliament is recommended.

Abstract In recent decades, pension funds have faced a critical situation, and the Country Pension Fund is no exception. Despite structural changes within the Country Pension Fund, the trends of instability and challenges related to management and finance have been relatively increasing. According to available official statistics, in 1402 (2023), the Country Pension Fund covered 841,020 insured individuals and 1,715,656 pensioners; thus, the support ratio of the fund has decreased to 0.49. The gap between insurance resources (contributions from active employees) and insurance expenditures (pension payments and benefits for retirees) has increasingly widened in recent years, reaching about eight times the resources from contributions in 1401 (2022). This gap indicates a significant disparity between insurance expenditures and resources, exacerbating the instability of the Country Pension Fund, to the extent that in 1401, a large portion of its expenditures was covered by government assistance, with only 15% of the fund's expenditures being financed from collected contributions. These figures clearly indicate the severe instability of the Country Pension Fund. Various reasons contribute to this situation, including historical underfunding, the enactment of protective laws that contradict insurance logic, and fundamental instability due to unfavorable macroeconomic conditions. To exit this crisis, three types of fundamental solutions can be considered: process and operational reforms, structural reforms in the fund's administration, and parametric reforms.

Abstract The "Draft Amendment to Article (87) of the Civil Service Management Law" was approved by the Parliament on 26/03/1403 (June 15, 2024) and was subsequently sent to the Guardian Council, where it faced objections from the Council and the High Supervisory Board on the Proper Implementation of the General Policies of the System, leading to its return to the Parliament. The draft was reviewed again in the Social Commission to address the objections raised by the Guardian Council and the High Supervisory Board. Based on the explanations provided in this expert opinion, it appears that the Commission's resolution has addressed the objections of the Guardian Council regarding the draft amendment to Article (87) of the Civil Service Management Law; however, some objections from the High Supervisory Board remain unresolved. Therefore, to address the concerns of the Guardian Council and the High Supervisory Board, it is suggested that, in accordance with the internal regulations of the Parliament, the Commission's resolution be amended as follows: "Article (87) - The working hours of employees in executive agencies are 42 hours and 30 minutes per week, and the arrangement and scheduling of working hours in offices shall be determined by the proposal of the Administrative and Recruitment Organization of the country and approved by the Cabinet. Changes to employees' working hours, within the specified limit and according to the proposed guidelines from the Administrative and Recruitment Organization, which are approved by the Cabinet, shall be the responsibility of the relevant agency. The teaching hours of teachers and faculty members shall be determined from the mandatory hours in the relevant job classification plans."

Abstract Input-output tables provide a coherent and integrated framework of macroeconomic statistics based on national accounting principles. Despite over five decades of experience in compiling input-output tables in Iran, no efforts have been made to create a time series of these tables until now. To address this shortcoming and considering the importance of the subject, the Research Center of the Islamic Consultative Assembly has prioritized the preparation of updated time series input-output tables at current and constant prices for the period 1399-1390 (2020-2011). As a result of this work, in addition to providing time series input-output tables at current and constant prices for the specified period (a total of 20 input-output tables), a foundation has been established that allows for the preparation and presentation of input-output tables for subsequent years shortly after the release of national accounts by statistical authorities. These tables create opportunities for various applied studies that were previously not feasible for the Iranian economy, including: Examining changes in the structure of the economic system over time, such as the transition from agriculture to production and services, Assisting in identifying long-term trends in economic growth and development, Studying inter-sectoral linkages and their evolution over time, Evaluating the impact of policies or external shocks, including economic events, technological innovations, or changes in consumer preferences. It is hoped that the results of this effort will receive widespread attention and use from researchers and policymakers in the country and will play a significant role in improving the country's economic planning.

Abstract Considering Iran's positioning in international environmental indices and the emphasis on important concepts such as climate change management, combating dust storms, the necessity of conducting environmental assessments, the economic valuation of environmental resources, and the management of free-roaming animals in the provisions of the Seventh Progress Plan, there was an expectation for prioritizing environmental issues in the 2025 budget bill. The results of the examination of the budget lines allocated for environmental matters indicate that these issues rank lowest among the ten national priorities, accounting for only 0.72% of the total current and capital expenditure allocations. It is noteworthy that despite a 47% growth in environmental matters in the 2025 budget bill, their share of the total allocations for the ten national priorities has decreased by 8.5% compared to the 2024 budget law. A comparison of the proposed bill with the provisions of the Seventh Progress Plan shows that the implementation of the provisions of the Seventh Progress Plan and the maintenance of the upward trend in enhancing the country's environmental standing in performance indices will face serious obstacles with the allocated budgets. Based on the aforementioned points, and considering the necessity of implementing the Seventh Progress Plan, it is suggested that full and timely allocations for environmental issues be made in the 2025 budget bill, focusing on areas such as adaptation to and mitigation of climate change impacts, wetland protection, combating dust storms, and managing free-roaming animals.

Abstract The review of the budget bill for the year 2025 indicates that the water sector (including the chapter on water resources and the chapter on water and wastewater) has the second highest allocation of capital asset ownership credits after the transportation sector. This allocation constitutes 29.8% of the total capital asset ownership credits presented in the bill, which reflects the importance of the water sector and the significant volume of related projects and credits. The total capital asset ownership credits for the programs under the chapters of water resources and water and wastewater amount to 573,700,740 million rials, representing a 41% increase compared to the budget law of the year 2024. A comparison of the performance metrics outlined in the seventh program and the budget bill for the year 2025 shows that the orientations of the metrics are not aligned, and the overarching spirit of the metrics in the budget bill (for example, "extraction of agricultural water") is in clear conflict with the goal of reducing agricultural consumption stated in the seventh program. Consequently, the achievement of some objectives of the seventh program in the water sector remains ambiguous. In the budget bill for the year 2025, about 90% of the capital credits for the water resources chapter are allocated for water supply and provision programs, which is noteworthy compared to the negligible share allocated for the program aimed at improving the operation and protection of water resources (8%). In the water and wastewater chapter, approximately 93% of the relevant capital credits are dedicated to the development of wastewater facilities and water recycling, which is considered a positive development given the existing delays in this program.

Abstract The framework agreement bill between the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Turkey regarding rail transport has been approved by the Cabinet in its session dated 02/03/1403 (2024) based on a proposal from the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and has been submitted to the Islamic Consultative Assembly for legal formalities. The annex to this single article includes the framework agreement between the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Turkey regarding rail transport, consisting of a preamble and sixteen articles. Given the importance of connecting Iran to Europe via rail and the limitations on Iran's land routes to Europe through neighboring countries due to security issues in those countries, utilizing the rail line between Iran and Turkey is assessed as a suitable option. Therefore, in order to regulate rail transport between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Turkey, considering the restructuring actions taken in railway companies and the necessity of strengthening rail cooperation based on principles of equal partnership and mutual respect, the approval of the aforementioned agreement bill is proposed while preserving national interests and adhering to Articles 77, 125, and 139 of the Constitution, along with suggested amendments.

Abstract This report examines the second section of the budget bill for the year 1404 in the oil and gas sector, taking into account previous laws, especially the Seventh Development Plan, as well as the first section of the budget for 1404, and presents corrective suggestions. The analysis indicates that the figures related to the share of the government and oil-rich, gas-rich, and deprived areas from crude oil exports, gas condensates, and net natural gas exports have been included in the tables according to the provisions of the first section of the budget. However, the share of the energy consumption optimization account under Table 14, which pertains to the resources and expenditures of targeted subsidies that itself has a significant deficit, has been included. Meanwhile, the resources from targeted subsidies have not been accounted for in the total figures of the public budget, and these resources are related to revenues from the domestic sale of petroleum products and natural gas, not from crude oil exports, gas condensates, and natural gas, which the energy consumption optimization account is entitled to. The lack of transparency tables for oil revenues, expenses of the National Oil Company, resources of the energy consumption optimization account, and the oil and gas investment account are other issues that have not been adhered to despite the existence of a legal provision in the first section of the budget. The overestimation of resources in the targeted subsidy table, which results from the domestic sale of petroleum products and natural gas, and the significant underestimation of the resources needed for importing petroleum products and the investment costs of the Ministry of Oil's subsidiary companies are flaws in the bill. Additionally, to create a monitoring tool for the Islamic Consultative Assembly over important energy sector projects in the Seventh Development Plan, such as natural gas storage and metering, it is necessary to allocate a line for these matters in the budget, and suggestions for these issues are also included in this report.

Abstract Research policy in the field of crisis management in Iran indicates that, following the Islamic Revolution and particularly after the devastating Bam earthquake, new measures were taken to redesign the country's crisis management system. The pivotal point of these measures was the approval of the law establishing the National Crisis Management Organization (2008) and subsequently the National Crisis Management Law (2019). However, evidence suggests that despite relatively adequate institutional measures, the desired state of crisis management in the country has not been achieved. Given the importance of the subject, this report examines the status of natural and man-made crisis management in the country and the extent of the implementation of the National Crisis Management Law (2019) as the structural and behavioral charter for managing disasters and emergencies. According to the findings of the report, despite more than five years since the approval of the aforementioned law, a significant portion of the National Crisis Management Law (2019) has not been implemented. This shortcoming has also been true for previous laws in this area. The reasons for the failure to achieve the legislator's objectives can be categorized into five main issues: Weakness in planning/policy-making, Implementation, Monitoring and evaluation, Negative politicization, and Neglect (downplaying) of the crisis management system.

Abstract Although the issue of conflicts of interest was recognized as one of the dimensions of the fight against corruption in the governance system in the mid-1390s (2010s), there were previously scattered laws and regulations in this area, the lack of meaningful connection to the issue of transparency significantly reduced their effectiveness. Following the eight-point directive from the Supreme Leader, transparency was recognized as one of the dimensions of combating corruption through a lengthy process. Transparency is essential both as a "tool" and as a "strategy" for managing conflicts of interest. Disclosure of interests, along with the refusal and delegation of powers and duties, are recognized as the main tools for managing conflicts of interest. Apart from the impact of disclosed interests in managing specific situations, transparency can generally serve as a facilitating strategy in the conflict of interest management system. Given the hidden nature of personal interests, creating transparency in government decisions and actions can encourage the participation of stakeholders and the general public. In situations where conflicts of interest are hidden from the responsible authorities, the public, as stakeholders, can identify instances of conflicts of interest from among the publicly disclosed documents and report them to the authorities. On the other hand, if individuals involved in conflicts of interest conceal their personal interests from the authorities, the public stakeholders often recognize these personal interests and have the ability to disclose them. This collection of arguments indicates that policymakers should actively connect conflict of interest management with the legal capacities governing transparent governance.

Abstract The purpose of this report on the conceptualization of conflict of interest management is to achieve a comprehensive, barrier-free, and reality-based definition to facilitate and expedite the review process of the draft bill on "Managing Conflicts of Interest in the Performance of Legal Duties and Provision of Public Services." To this end, this report adopts an analytical-comparative approach and utilizes the experiences of other countries and the results from specialized meetings reviewing the aforementioned bill and draft to clarify concepts and resolve existing ambiguities in the definitions provided. The findings of the report can offer policy solutions to address the challenges present in the definitions related to conflict of interest management and introduce various dimensions of conflicts of interest, focusing on the true concept of conflict of interest, thereby alleviating many of the ambiguities faced by policymakers. In the process of clarifying the concept of conflict of interest, emphasis has been placed on eliminating ambiguous terms and adhering to principles such as situational centrality, focusing on potential conflicts of interest, maintaining sustainability, and adopting a prescriptive approach. Efforts have been made to minimize the ambiguities present in the definitions of conflicts of interest and the challenges arising from them. It is clear that having a clear and unified definition regarding conflicts of interest is the first and most important step toward identifying and managing conflict of interest situations.

Abstract Diversifying the electricity production portfolio of the country and developing clean and renewable energy, in accordance with Clause (8) of the General Policies of the System in the field of the environment, is among the priorities of the country's electricity industry and is aligned with the implementation of Article (19) of the Clean Air Law. In this context, utilizing international cooperation in technical and financial areas will play a significant role in facilitating this goal. One of the frameworks for such international cooperation is the International Solar Energy Union, which is examined in this report regarding the accession of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the mentioned union. The bill "Membership of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the International Solar Energy Union," which was received by the Islamic Consultative Assembly on 29/07/1403 (2024), consists of a single article and an annex titled "Framework Agreement for the Establishment of the International Solar Energy Union." Overall, membership in this union can lead to benefiting from the experiences and expertise of other countries, attracting financial assistance and foreign investment, and enhancing Iran's role in international policymaking. Therefore, the approval of the related bill is recommended with considerations.

Abstract The approach of utilizing human resource supply contracting companies within the administrative and employment system of the country was established with the aim of assisting in downsizing and reducing government costs. However, after years of implementation, it has led to a dichotomy among scientific and executive specialists regarding these companies. On one side, there is an emphasis on the continued use of these companies with modifications to the rules and regulations governing their use, while on the other side, there is a call for limiting the activities of such companies in the public sector. This report aims to explore the contexts that led to the formation of these companies, the challenges and problems arising from their use, and the reasons behind these challenges, thereby creating a picture of the compatibility of these types of companies with the ecosystem of the country's administrative and employment system and addressing the aforementioned dichotomy in decision-making. The findings indicate that correcting the rules and regulations for employing human resource supply contracting companies to effectively implement this approach is a repetitive and doomed process; this is because the approach focuses on symptoms and issues aimed at remedying the unintended consequences of the implementation of the plan rather than addressing the causes and roots of the problems. These causes include structural mismatches (the new public management approach with the political, cultural, and social structure), technical aspects (requirements for employing contracting companies), and cultural factors (avoiding high uncertainty and the collectivism of Iranian society). Given the high social costs of this plan, it is recommended to limit the activities of human resource supply contracting companies in the public sector.

Abstract The emergence and expansion of the digital age have brought profound changes to the structure, management, and concept of government services. The digital age is recognized as the era of open communications. Governments must effectively provide services in digital environments during this time. Accordingly, this report analyzes and reviews the "Digital Government Index 2023" published by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This report utilizes data from 38 member countries of the organization from 2020 to 2022, aiming to measure the maturity of digital government in these countries. The assessment of the maturity of digital government in countries is conducted across six dimensions: "design-based digital," "data-driven," "government as a platform," "default transparency," "user-centric," and "government's proactivity in anticipating needs." The results of the report indicate that countries have performed best in the dimensions of "design-based digital," "data-driven," and "government as a platform," while the dimension of "government's proactivity in anticipating needs" has been identified as one of the most challenging areas in the realm of digital government. In the final section of the report, based on the analyses and results obtained, policy recommendations for implementation in the country are provided.

Abstract One of the ways to reintegrate convicts into society and reduce the effects and consequences of remaining in foreign prisons is to create the conditions for serving their sentence in their home country's prisons. This allows these individuals to benefit from opportunities such as visiting immediate family members, leave, and so on. Countries that have prisoners from the other party in their prisons can establish a transfer agreement to outline the process for transferring these convicts, enabling them to be sent back to their home country to serve the remainder of their sentence, provided certain conditions are met, such as dual criminality, remaining time in the sentence, submitting a request, etc. The resolution of the Judicial and Legal Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly regarding the "Treaty between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Uzbekistan on the Transfer of Convicts" is in this context. The Judicial and Legal Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly has amended and approved the clause under the single article to comply with Articles 77, 125, and 139 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is endorsed.

Abstract The implementation of Article (15) of the Constitution has been a legislative and policy issue for the past four decades. Although some successes have been achieved in higher education for the implementation of this article, it has not been fully executed in education due to the lack of a defined mechanism for its implementation in schools. This proposal aims to create such a mechanism. Given the emphasis of the Constitution and the advantages that the approval of this proposal has in strengthening individual identities, national identity, preserving national security, and preventing the forgetting and destruction of local and indigenous cultures and languages, the overall proposal is endorsed. However, the approval and implementation of this proposal require attention to certain considerations and nuances; failure to adhere to these could lead to completely opposite results. One of the main considerations is the necessity of prioritizing the Persian language and preventing its weakening, as well as ensuring a balance in teaching local and ethnic literatures and cultural education (arts, customs, and traditions) alongside the Persian language. Although the proposed text includes a requirement for the authorship and teaching of books and educational materials in Persian and utilizes the capacities of the Academy of Persian Language and Literature and the Arts, assigning the responsibility of curriculum development to the Research and Curriculum Planning Organization, these nuances have been largely taken into account. Additionally, some amendments to the text of the proposal could strengthen it, which are discussed in this report.

Abstract In autumn 2024, the inventory index of the industry was 116.5, which represents a 7.8% decrease compared to the same season of the previous year. Additionally, in this season, the inventory-to-sales ratio for the industry was 0.32. The inventory index for the mining sector in autumn 2024 was 120.3, showing a 7.2% decrease compared to the same season of the previous year. The inventory-to-sales ratio for the mining sector during this season was 0.8. Among the industries, the inventory index for the base metals industry decreased by 9.4%, the coke and refining industry decreased by 64.8%, the chemical products industry decreased by 18.8%, and the automotive industry increased by 2%.

Abstract One of the ways to reintegrate convicts into society and reduce the effects and consequences of remaining in foreign prisons is to create the conditions for serving their sentence in their home country's prisons. This allows these individuals to benefit from opportunities such as visiting immediate family members, leave, and so on. Countries that have prisoners from the other party in their prisons can establish a transfer agreement to outline the process for transferring these convicts, enabling them to be sent back to their home country to serve the remainder of their sentence, provided certain conditions are met, such as dual criminality, remaining time in the sentence, submitting a request, etc. The resolution of the Judicial and Legal Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly regarding the "Treaty between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on the Transfer of Convicts" is in this context. The Judicial and Legal Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly has amended and approved the clause under the single article to comply with Articles 77, 125, and 139 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is endorsed.

Abstract The esteemed Guardian Council has criticized the Islamic Consultative Assembly's resolution regarding the "Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," arguing that the lack of obligation to reject assistance in cases where such an assistance contradicts national laws, national security, or public order is inconsistent with Sharia principles. It is suggested that to address the concerns of the esteemed Guardian Council, a clause regarding the obligation to reject requests for assistance that contradict national laws, national security, or public order be added to the single article.

Abstract The Comprehensive Club Management Bill in the Islamic Republic of Iran was introduced with the commencement of the fourteenth government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, registered under number 163 on October 21, 2024 (29/07/1403), to create a conducive environment for the growth of moral virtues, enhancement of physical abilities, the spirit of chivalry, and the duties stipulated in the law regarding the objectives, responsibilities, and authorities of the Ministry of Sports and Youth. It received the approval of the Cultural Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly on October 28, 2024 (06/08/1403). The general principles of the bill are approved, and amendments and additions have been made. The first chapter of the bill pertains to definitions, which have been made more coherent with the amendment of 13 components, the addition of 9 components, the removal of 3 components, and the addition of 1 note to Article (1), clarifying its minor and major objectives. The second chapter of the bill relates to the structure of the comprehensive club management system, and the third chapter pertains to the conditions for establishing and operating sports clubs, which have been cohesively defined by merging 7 components of the duties of the club management system. Additionally, the fourth added chapter aims to strengthen cultural and social foundations under the title of cultural-social requirements. In the fifth chapter, which concerns the role of the government and public institutions, only one article was amended, while the role of public institutions in the development of sports clubs and their maximum engagement and participation has been overlooked in this chapter. Therefore, it is suggested that in line with the implementation of Articles (5, 52, and 75) of the Seventh Development Plan, the capacities of the private sector and the engagement of public participation and non-governmental organizations should be utilized to reduce government and public non-governmental institutions' responsibilities and to achieve the general policies of Article 44 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The sixth chapter of the bill pertains to supports and facilities, and the seventh chapter, concerning the issuance and revocation of sports club activity licenses, has been strengthened and improved by adding 3 articles, 6 notes, amending 8 articles, 2 notes, and finally removing 1 article and 1 note, enhancing the provision of supports and facilities and the specialized oversight of sports clubs. Therefore, the revisions made in the commission's resolution have led to the enhancement of policies and strategies for the development and support of sports clubs in the country. However, it is necessary to resolve the contradiction of Article (16) with paragraph "a" of Article (27) of the Seventh Development Plan regarding the prohibition of granting tax credits. In this regard, it is essential to replace paragraph "t" of Article (78) of the Seventh Development Plan concerning the development of the sports economy and attracting and encouraging non-governmental supporters to operate in the field of sports clubs in the country. Additionally, in Article (4) of the second chapter of the bill regarding the structure of the system, the duties of federations should be addressed and strengthened, similar to other components. Furthermore, the fifth chapter, titled the role of the government and public institutions, should also be strengthened to maximize their engagement and participation in the development of sports clubs.

Abstract Determining the taxpayer as an individual or household has various legal, economic, and social implications. This issue is one of the key decision-making points in designing the income tax for individuals. In the individual taxpayer model, each person with income is taxed separately. However, in the household taxpayer model, the income of all household members is aggregated and then taxed. The household tax model, while establishing horizontal and vertical equity, influences marriage and cohabitation decisions and has negative effects on labor supply and some implementation challenges. For this reason, many countries have adopted the individual model, although some allow households to file joint tax returns if they wish. Additionally, some of the problems associated with the household tax model can be mitigated through the application of tiered rates, higher basic exemptions, and changes in allowable expenses, but they will not be completely resolved, and the tax system will become more complex in legislation and implementation. Another issue addressed in this report concerns individuals who have political-economic relationships with two countries. In determining the primary country for tax payment, countries typically use bilateral tax agreements. Some countries also impose specific taxes, such as property purchase taxes for foreign nationals. Besides the ambiguity in the concept and instances of family, regarding the legal dimensions of this issue, it should be noted that family-centered taxation raises serious concerns regarding its compatibility with Islamic principles and multiple provisions of the Constitution.

Abstract The necessity of prescribing proactive strategies alongside reactive measures in the fight against corruption is a strategic matter. The legislator, aware of the importance of this issue and aiming to activate the capacity for public oversight, has emphasized the implementation of public education and information programs in Article (31) of the Law on Promoting the Health of the Administrative System and Combating Corruption. The results of this study, conducted to examine the implementation of the aforementioned article, indicate that despite the importance of Article (31) in preventing and combating corruption, no serious actions have been taken by the relevant agencies and ministries to implement this article. "Preparing and approving effective enforcement guarantees for the implementation of the mentioned article" by the Islamic Consultative Assembly, amending the plan of the Economic Corruption Combat Coordination Headquarters regarding "cultural, educational, and media programs for systematic prevention and combating of economic corruption," "accelerating the notification of the mentioned plan, and ultimately monitoring and overseeing the implementation of programs in the relevant ministries and executive agencies," are among the solutions that could effectively improve the implementation of Article (31) of the Law on Promoting the Health of the Administrative System.

Abstract This report is based on the evaluation of economic actors participating in four quarterly surveys in 2023, using an annual average derived from two sets of survey and statistical data to prepare the National Investment Security Index (a combination of the two data sets). According to calculations, the investment security index in 2023 has been assessed as more favorable compared to 2022. This index for 2023 is recorded at 70.5 out of 10 (where a score of 10 indicates absolute investment insecurity), while in 2022 it was calculated at 56.6. For 2021, the value was 16.6, in 2020 it was 30.6, and in 2019 it was 6.3. In other words, the trend of the investment security index from 2019 to 2022 had been moving towards a less favorable situation; however, with the absence of significant fluctuations in some statistical components and the improved evaluations of business actors regarding certain survey components, the investment security index for 2023 has shown improvement compared to previous years. In fact, the most favorable assessment of the investment security index in the past five years belongs to 2023. In 2023, three components were identified as the least favorable from the perspective of participants in the 2023 surveys: the component "level of support from provincial officials for investment applicants" scored 7.83, the component "national officials' fulfillment of promises made" scored 7.65, and finally, the component "stability or predictability of decisions made by provincial or local officials" scored 7.52. This situation occurred while in 2022, the component "national officials' fulfillment of promises made" scored 8.78, the component "level of support from provincial officials for investment applicants" scored 8.34, and the component "actions of provincial and local officials regarding economic promises made" scored 8.20, which were recognized as the least favorable components from the perspective of participants in the 2022 surveys. On the other hand, in 2023, the three components "stability of laws and regulations" scored 4.71, "financial theft (cash, goods, equipment)" scored 4.88, and "fulfillment of written or verbal contract obligations in the market" scored 4.96 were ranked as the most favorable components, whereas in 2022, the component "financial theft (cash, goods, equipment)" scored 5.15, the component "prevalence of smuggling goods" scored 5.34, and the component "unauthorized use of names and trademarks or intellectual property" scored 5.01 were ranked as the most favorable. According to the results of this study, for 2023, similar to 2022, among nine economic activity areas, the mining sector (excluding oil and gas) received the most favorable assessment. In 2023, participants in the surveys rated the sectors of communications and distribution (transportation, warehousing, wholesale, and retail) as well as agriculture, horticulture, and forestry as having the least favorable investment security status. In contrast, in 2022, participants in the surveys rated the sector of "crude oil and natural gas, water, electricity, and gas supply" as having the least favorable investment security status.

Abstract Health and medical affairs rank third when including dedicated revenues and fourth when excluding them among the ten areas of concern. The highest growth in health allocations is related to outpatient medical services, while the lowest growth pertains to public health, indicating a continued treatment-centered approach. An allocation of 7,374,162 billion rials is forecasted for the health sector (including the Ministry of Health and its subsidiaries), reflecting an 81% increase compared to 2024. General allocations for medical universities have increased by 28% compared to 2024, and when considering overtime for productivity improvements, new university hires, and government allocations to settle university debts, this figure reaches 96%. The total dedicated revenues of universities, including surplus dedicated revenues, have increased by 69% compared to 2024, and by 66% without considering it. Allocations for the Ministry of Health's headquarters and centralized lines will decrease by 4% compared to 2024, while allocations for affiliated agencies will increase by 160%. Public health insurance allocations show a 44% increase (excluding allocations for family medicine implementation through insurance), which is at least 35 trillion tomans less than the estimated required allocations for the organization. Assistance for implementing the residency program in deprived areas remains unchanged compared to 2024, and the estimated allocation for the Blood Transfusion Organization's obligations in the Seventh Development Plan and the Health Insurance Organization's allocation for the special patient support fund shows significant discrepancies. The non-issuance of approximately 140 trillion rials from health tax resources in the bill for the health sector, the presence of ambiguous and interpretable phrases in the bill, and the lack of connection between some of the proposed lines and the legal provisions cited from the Seventh Development Plan are among the challenges of the bill. The inclusion of approximately 510 trillion rials from Article 46 of the Accession Law (2), which had not been included in recent budget laws, is a positive aspect of the bill in the health sector. To enhance the bill, it is necessary to strengthen the prevention and health sector, allocate 100% of health tax resources for the health sector, forecast sufficient funds for drug-related expenses, provide necessary financial resources for neglected obligations from the Seventh Development Plan, strengthen public emergency funding, enhance allocations for the Blood Transfusion Organization to implement Clause D of Article 70 of the Seventh Development Plan, transfer public allocations for the organization to a dedicated line, provide necessary resources for the special and critical patient support fund, ensure adequate funding for the residency and retention programs for doctors in deprived areas, and clarify ambiguous phrases and rectify unrelated references of budget lines to the provisions of the Seventh Development Plan.

Abstract In January 2025, the production and sales index of the industrial sector based on listed industrial companies experienced a decrease of 6.7% and 1.4% compared to the same month of the previous year. Additionally, compared to the previous month, the production and sales index decreased by 4.5% and 3.9%. In January 2025, the production and sales index for the automotive and parts sector decreased by 6.2% and 14.8% compared to the same month of the previous year, while it increased by 12.4% and 1.8% compared to the previous month. The production and sales index for the base metals sector decreased by 13.2% and 3.2% compared to the same month of the previous year, and compared to the previous month, the production and sales index decreased by 13.9% and 9.1%. In January 2025, the monthly growth rate of prices for listed industrial companies increased by 6.4%, and the year-on-year growth rate rose by 5.8 percentage points compared to the previous month, reaching 30.8%. It is noteworthy that the annual average price index for listed industrial activities in January 2025 increased by 0.5 percentage points compared to the previous month, indicating a 24.6% increase.

Abstract Data and information are among the most valuable assets of countries and are the primary prerequisite for data-driven policymaking. Today, a vast amount of data and information is available to countries, and leveraging it can enable comprehensive and precise monitoring of issues. Iran is no exception and has a relatively adequate range of information. However, the first step in achieving data-driven policymaking is to organize the flow of data and information to ensure access to comprehensive and accurate data. One of the most important tools for organizing the flow of data in the country is the design of appropriate laws and regulations, considering the characteristics of this field and the interests of all stakeholders. Despite numerous efforts in Iran to legislate in the field of data, the dispersion and lack of focus on legal topics, neglect of legal, technical, and infrastructural prerequisites when designing laws, overlooking stakeholders, deficiencies in regulatory frameworks, the rapid pace of technological changes, and the inability of laws to adapt to these changes, as well as the lack of precise executive regulations, have resulted in these laws not demonstrating their effectiveness in practice. In this context, the approval of laws such as the National Data and Information Management Law alone cannot significantly impact resolving these issues. Given the mission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly in legislation, this report aims to identify concepts related to the field of data and information by examining various knowledge sources, including scientific literature and expert opinions, and to identify legal gaps in this area by reviewing existing laws.

Abstract According to the law on the structure of the comprehensive welfare and social security system, this system includes three areas: insurance, supportive-rehabilitation, and relief. In the second section of the 2025 national budget bill, a total allocation of 14,145,451,255 million rials (1,414 trillion tomans) has been designated for the welfare and social security sector. Therefore, the allocations related to welfare and social security in the 2025 budget bill account for 26.27% of the government's general expenditures. If, according to the above documents, the welfare and social security sector is divided into the three aforementioned sections, the allocations for pension funds and social insurance will amount to 1,119 trillion tomans (of which 777 trillion tomans is for compensating pension fund deficits and adjustments) (79% of social welfare allocations), the supportive and empowerment sector will receive 271 trillion tomans (19% of social welfare allocations), and the social relief sector will receive 23 trillion tomans (2% of social welfare allocations). This report aims to examine the allocations proposed for the agencies corresponding to each section by breaking down the welfare and social security sector into three parts: supportive, insurance, and relief. Finally, suggestions for strengthening the provisions of the second section of the 2025 budget bill in the welfare and social security sector are presented.

Abstract The agreement between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh for the elimination of double taxation on income taxes and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance has been submitted to the Parliament for review and approval. This tax agreement bears significant similarities to other tax agreements between Iran and other countries. The approval of this agreement is recommended to strengthen trade relations with Bangladesh and to resolve tax-related challenges between the two countries.

Abstract Social damages, due to their multidimensional nature, interconnectivity, and dynamism, are among the most challenging issues faced by the governance system. Therefore, any reform and improvement in their status requires appropriate policymaking, institutional building, and coordination among responsible institutions, as well as timely and adequate allocation of budgets. In this context, budgeting and financial arrangements are among the most important policy tools that can significantly impact the situation regarding social damages. Thus, examining the approved resources for this issue in annual budget bills and the trend of changes over the years can be of particular importance. Monitoring the budget for social damages in areas such as substance abuse prevention, treatment of addicts, protection and rehabilitation of recovered addicts, urban marginalization, and student-related damages in the budget bill for 2025 indicates that the total allocated budget is 11.520 trillion tomans. The trend of changes in the budgets of key institutions in the area of social damages shows that the budget for the Drug Control Headquarters has increased by 88% compared to the budget law of 1403, the budget for the Welfare Organization in the areas related to social damages has increased by 83%, the budget for the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee in the area of social damages has increased by 16%, and the budget for the Urban Regeneration Company has increased by 61.75%, while the budget for the Social Affairs Organization has decreased by 47%. Overall, the budget for social damages in the budget bill for the year 1404 has increased by 46% compared to the budget law of 2024. Among the strengths of the second part of the budget bill for 2025 is the effort to pay attention to the policy provisions of the Seventh Development Plan and align with it. Among these efforts, resources have been allocated for the implementation of extraordinary programs aimed at controlling and reducing social damages, as well as the Namad project, which focuses on preventing social damages among students. However, the allocation of resources under some non-specialized institutions and the transfer of budgets from certain institutions and programs under miscellaneous items also represent weaknesses in the budget bill in the area of social damages.

Abstract Section two of the 2025 budget bill, which includes tables and details of government revenues and expenditures, is under review and approval by the Islamic Consultative Assembly. In this bill, the communications and information technology sector generates approximately 301 trillion rials, accounting for about 0.56% of total government revenues and 1.2% of operational revenues. The communications and information technology sector consumes around 243 trillion rials, which represents about 0.78% of the government's general budget resources, indicating the self-sufficiency of this sector and its lack of dependence on other government revenues. The Regulatory Authority for Communications and Radio has generated approximately 94% of government revenues in the communications and information technology sector, amounting to 282 trillion rials, ranking first in revenue generation in this sector. This revenue primarily comes from the government's share of operator revenues, providing the government with stable and reliable resources. Among the performance metrics and key outputs of the communications and information technology sector in 2025, the achievement of two objectives: the goals of the comprehensive plan and architecture of the national information network, and the connection of administrative, commercial, and residential locations to fiber optics, are considered the most important metrics in this section. An examination of the capital asset acquisition plans in the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology indicates that the government has made considerable efforts in the 2025 budget bill to address the budgetary goals outlined in the Seventh Development Plan. The total allocations for fulfilling the sovereign duties and executing construction projects of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the National Cyberspace Center are estimated at around 243 trillion rials. If the law "Permitting the Determination and Collection of Fees for the Activities of the Non-Governmental Sector in Postal and Telecommunications" approved in 2013 is implemented, which mandates the allocation of 100% of the Ministry of Communications' revenue (as stated in annual budget bills) to the country's information technology sector, the necessary financial resources for executing all mentioned projects will be provided.

Abstract The Ministry of Interior holds a significant and special position due to its crucial role in governance and the implementation of public policies across the country's geographical territory through governors, district governors, and local officials as the highest representatives of the government at various administrative levels. The extensive and important missions, responsibilities, and duties assigned to this ministry are unparalleled compared to any other institutions and organizations in the country. The main tasks and missions of the Ministry of Interior include security and law enforcement, political and social affairs, urban development and municipalities, and coordination of economic and regional development. This report focuses on examining the budget allocations for the Ministry of Interior in the second part of the budget bill for the year 2025. Initially, a general overview of the budget for the Ministry of Interior and its affiliated organizations is provided, followed by a detailed examination of current expenditures and capital asset acquisitions, distinguishing between the main ministry and its affiliated organizations. Based on the framework of the ministry's tasks and missions, as well as the provisions of higher-level documents and other relevant laws, several recommendations are made. These recommendations include the need to revise and include performance metrics for all programs of the Ministry of Interior and its affiliated organizations; providing a performance report on the budget law of 2024 for the Ministry of Interior and its affiliated organizations; revising certain titles and amounts in the budget lines of the Ministry of Interior and its affiliated organizations in light of the requirements and obligations outlined in the Seventh Development Plan; and transferring some lines listed in the miscellaneous budget allocations in Table 9 to Table 7 of the single article.

Abstract The annual budget law of the country is the primary venue for realizing the five-year development programs and the overarching 20-year vision of the country. According to Article 48 of the Constitution, the distribution of public resources among provinces must consider two factors: need and growth potential. Therefore, the most important financial document of the country in allocating resources and distributing them among various groups and territorial regions, particularly in the area of poverty alleviation and addressing social and regional inequalities, is of great significance. Given the role of poverty alleviation allocations, which are linked to the livelihoods of vulnerable groups and regions, oversight of the budget law in this regard and the balanced and timely distribution of these allocations becomes even more critical. Accordingly, this report examines the budget bill for 1404, focusing on the second part and the poverty alleviation allocations within it. The main strengths of this bill include: A significant increase in the amount of poverty alleviation allocations, Distribution of allocations on a provincial basis according to the level of deprivation in each province, Consideration of the multidimensional poverty index in the distribution of some poverty alleviation allocations. However, this bill also has weaknesses, including: Non-compliance with the country's five-year development plan, A predominance of a quantitative and structural perspective over a developmental and qualitative approach, The presence of unallocated or discretionary funds in the area of poverty alleviation, Some allocations being categorized under national budgets, which increases the likelihood of non-allocation or lack of transparency in their distribution, Outdated indicators and data for determining deprived areas, Neglecting the issue of foreign nationals in supporting the budgets of the deprived areas hosting them. Based on this, recommendations for optimizing the budget bill have been provided.

Abstract The total budget for religious institutions in the budget bill for the year 2025 is estimated to exceed 40 trillion tomans. The share of these institutions from the total cultural budget in the laws of 2024 and the budget bill for 2025 is 39.33% and 31.25%, respectively, while their share of the general government budget in the budget bill for 2024 and 2025 is 1.14% and 0.75%, respectively. Overall, the budget for religious institutions in the proposed bill has seen an approximate growth of 25.3%, with the "Holy Shrine of Imam Khomeini (PBUH)" experiencing the highest growth at 82.44%, and the Endowment and Charity Organization showing the lowest growth at 7.01%. In the proposed bill, the share of the religious sector from the cultural budget has decreased by 8% compared to 1403, reaching 31.2%. One of the main challenges regarding the budget in this sector is the inadequate growth of current expenditures, especially concerning issues such as the impact of annual inflation on ongoing costs and human resources. Since the growth of current expenditures is only 25%, and organizations spend over 55% of their current budgets on employee compensation, it is expected that the annual growth should logically correspond to the status of these organizations. One of the impactful actions in the second part of the budget bill for 2025 is the emphasis on major policy documents, such as the "Establishment of a Governance and Support Mechanism for Mosques," in the distribution of allocations related to clause "Th" (ث) of note "8" of the first part of the budget law for 2025. If the deficiencies and shortcomings, such as the correction of the institutional mapping for the implementation of these documents in Table 12 of the bill, are addressed, it could lead to improved organizational discipline, prevention of redundancy and waste of resources, orderly policymaking in thematic areas, increased operational transparency, and the possibility of performance evaluation by effective oversight bodies.

Abstract The total budget for the Ministry of Education (sum of Tables 7 and 9) in the budget bill for the year 2025 is 4,751,254,917 million rials, indicating an increase of 67.83% in the education budget compared to the law of 1403 (2024). With this budget, the share of education from the government's general budget is 8.82%, which has decreased compared to 1403 due to differences in the total expenditures of the general government budget resulting from the integration and consideration of certain allocations within the budget ceiling (off-budget) compared to previous years. Despite the significant increase in the education budget, there remains a gap between these allocations and the actual needs, which, according to estimates from the ministry, amount to 7,956,893,388 million rials (795 trillion tomans). This discrepancy will particularly manifest in the budget line for "Provincial Education Departments," which mainly pertains to the payment of salaries and wages for educators in the coming year. The budget lines also show nearly a threefold increase in the allocations for school construction (Organization for Renovation, Development, and Equipment of Schools), influenced by the provisions of the Seventh Development Plan; however, the estimated allocations are still less than the obligations outlined in the plan, making it unlikely that these obligations will be met. The budget bill for 2025 also includes amounts for retirement bonuses for retirees nationwide and payments of debts owed to retired educators due to teacher ranking, which still falls short by 22 trillion tomans to fully settle the educators' claims. This report examines the budget allocations for the Ministry of Education, the budgetary challenges facing the ministry in the coming year, and their relation to the goals and obligations of the Seventh Development Plan.

Abstract The Martyrs and Veterans Affairs Foundation is the main body responsible for providing social services to various segments of the veteran community. The budget allocated for the Martyrs and Veterans Affairs Foundation in the budget bill for the year 1404 is approximately 122 trillion tomans, which represents a 34% increase compared to the budget law of 1403 (2024). This budget is outlined in eight programs, with the "Support Services" program receiving the largest share of the total budget for this organization. In the miscellaneous items section, the budget for this organization is also outlined in three programs and has increased by 2 trillion tomans (a total of 50%) compared to the budget law of 1403. This report will examine the budget allocations for the Martyrs and Veterans Affairs Foundation in the budget bill for the year 1404 and will attempt to provide a statistical overview of the extensive veteran community in the country, review the provisions allocated to this area in the Seventh Development Plan and the first part of the budget bill for 1404, and subsequently analyze the second part of the budget bill for 1404 in the area of veterans, specifically the budget for the Martyrs and Veterans Affairs Foundation. Finally, suggestions will be made to strengthen the provisions of the second part of the budget bill.

Abstract Having an up-to-date and reliable picture of the developments in the country's gross domestic product (GDP) can effectively contribute to improving policymaking and more accurate monitoring of the macroeconomy. Given the delays of statistical authorities in this area and the repeated requests from members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly to address this shortcoming and provide a more timely picture of economic growth, the Research Center of the Assembly has made efforts to establish a computational infrastructure to estimate and present the country's economic growth on a monthly basis and as quickly as possible. According to the latest statistics from the Central Bank, in the summer of 2024, the country's GDP grew by 2.7% and 2.3% compared to the same season of the previous year, with and without oil, respectively. According to the calculations of the Research Center, the economic growth of the country in February 2025 compared to the same month of the previous year is estimated to be 1.8%, and the economic growth without oil is estimated to be 1.6%. The results of the Center's estimates indicate that in February 2025, compared to the same month of the previous year, the value added in the "Agriculture" sector grew by 3%, the "Crude Oil and Natural Gas" sector grew by 3.8%, the "Industries and Mines" sector experienced a negative growth of 3.7%, and the "Services" sector recorded a growth of 4.1%  

Abstract One of the tables in the second section of the budget bill for 2025 is Table 12, which pertains to Clause "Th" of Note "8" regarding the expenditure of one percent (1%) of the operating credits of state-owned companies, banks, and profit-making institutions affiliated with the government. In this table, unlike the previous year, efforts have been made to distribute credits in line with the central mission. The credits are distributed in the form of eight major executive programs titled "Enhancing Iranian-Islamic Lifestyle and Promoting Culture and Art," "Discourse Formation, Explanation, and Promotion of Religious Teachings," "Providing Media Services and Productions," "Guiding and Enhancing Cultural Diplomacy," "Preserving Cultural Heritage and Developing Tourism and Handicrafts," "Strengthening Family Institutions, Youth Population, Empowering Women, and Youth Affairs," "Developing Public and Competitive Sports," and "Training Specialized Human Resources." Under these executive programs, a total of 27 sub-programs have been defined along with the responsible and collaborating agencies. Most programs and sub-programs align with the Seventh Development Plan; however, the prioritization system for the programs in this table has ambiguities, and the logic behind the distribution of credits is unclear. Additionally, the share and priority of each responsible and collaborating agency are ambiguous, and in some cases, it is necessary to add or remove agencies from the list according to the provisions in the Seventh Development Plan. Finally, it is suggested that the share of credits for each agency from the program, especially the related sub-program, be specified.  

Abstract In today's world, we are witnessing profound transformations in the realms of the international economic order. The Supreme Leader has repeatedly referred to the issue of changing the order; understanding the new landscape of international economic relations requires monitoring, analysis, and studying credible analyses and notes. This report aims to provide a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the main trends and forces shaping the future of the international economic order by examining several credible notes on the changes in the international economic order. It should be noted that the content of these reports is not necessarily endorsed by the Research Center of the Assembly and is presented solely to familiarize managers and experts in the country with these analyses. In this issue, three files titled "Strategic Relations between India and the United States," "Economic Security Discourse," and "The Relationship between the United States and the West Asian War" are discussed as follows: In September 2024, Arha and colleagues published an article titled "The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor in One Year" on the National Interest website. The authors emphasize the significant progress of India and the Middle East in this corridor and believe that Europe, especially Italy, should increase its efforts to realize the full potential of this initiative. Tobias Gehrke and Philip M. Donich, in their article on the "European Council on Foreign Relations" website titled "Fortune Favors the Brave," examine the need for the European Union to strengthen its geopolitical position and suggest that the current strategy should be proactively, politically, and fundamentally updated. The authors argue that merely focusing on risk reduction is insufficient, and the EU must adopt a more active approach to address future challenges posed by the United States, China, and Russia. Adam Tooze, in an article titled "In the Face of War in the Middle East and Ukraine, the United States Appears Weak," examines the U.S. response to ongoing crises in West Asia and Ukraine, raising the question of whether the lack of decisive action by the U.S. indicates weakness or is part of a deliberate strategy. He argues that the Biden administration may be intentionally implementing a "strategy of tension" to redefine its global and economic power balance. In his view, the Biden administration's policies are as radical as those of Trump.

Abstract This report aims to examine and redefine the regulatory framework for artificial intelligence, initially analyzing regulatory approaches. It then elaborates on the specific concept of regulation, which is proposed alongside legislation considering governance requirements, and this will be refined in accordance with the governance of artificial intelligence. Subsequently, institutional and governance challenges are presented as a significant part of the regulation of artificial intelligence, necessitating the design of a system consisting of two levels: cross-sectoral regulation and sectoral regulation. The cross-sectoral authority must ensure coordination and coherence in oversight and collaboration with sectoral regulators to prevent overlap and provide a unified space for supporting innovation and compliance with regulations, which is the role of the National Artificial Intelligence Organization. On the other hand, sectoral regulators are required to continuously review their measures in line with the dynamic nature of this field and create conditions for the development of this technology's application, which is suggested to be established in collaboration with the Scientific Vice Presidency of the Presidency under the technology departments of ministries. Furthermore, the regulation of relations between these two levels with the national regulator is the role of the Islamic Consultative Assembly as the legislator, which will legislate under the overarching policies of this field, proposed to be approved in a joint secretariat consisting of the secretariats of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, Cultural Revolution, and National Security. The criteria for designing and evaluating the regulatory framework, which include institutional mapping, clarity of objectives and requirements, transparency, participation and consideration of stakeholder interests, comprehensiveness, and education, are examined, and suggestions for designing the regulatory framework for artificial intelligence with a focus on maximizing facilitation are provided.

Abstract The rapid development of artificial intelligence technology and its macroeconomic effects on the economies and productivity of countries have made policymaking and regulation in this area increasingly necessary. One of the important issues for decision-making, regulation, and legislation regarding artificial intelligence is the capacity of AI to impact various jobs and the extent to which it increases productivity; specifically, how AI changes the nature of jobs, limits and creates job opportunities, and ultimately how much AI affects productivity and the extent to which each country is exposed to the impacts of AI automation. These findings can be utilized in the policymaking and legislation of this technology. This report, after reviewing recent developments in artificial intelligence globally, examines international studies on the impact of AI on jobs and productivity, and then estimates the impact of AI on jobs in Iran based on conducted studies. The value of reports like this is not necessarily in accurately estimating changes but in correctly reflecting the direction of changes. Based on international studies and aligning them with data from the Statistical Center of Iran, the share exposed to AI automation in Iran is estimated to be approximately between 10% to 20%. Additionally, by using the impact figure of AI on jobs in Iran and comparing it with similar countries, the potential productivity of AI in the long term can be estimated. This estimation indicates an annual growth of 1.1% to 1.2% in Iran due to artificial intelligence.

Abstract In the budget bill for 2025, the credits allocated for the Law on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities have increased by 81%, rising from 13.2 trillion tomans to 23.8 trillion tomans, which constitutes approximately 0.004 of the government's general budget expenditures. In this regard, the adequacy of the approved credits for the law in 2025 has increased compared to the previous year, rising from 16% to 22%. Although the growth of the credits for this law in 2025 is positive, there remains a significant gap compared to the credits needed for the full implementation of the law. According to calculations by relevant institutions, the Law on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires an allocation of 109 trillion tomans for optimal implementation in 2025. Additionally, a comparison of the single article and the notes of the first section of the budget law for 2025 with the Law on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities indicates a contradiction between Clause "P" of Note "12" of the budget law and Article (27) of the Law on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; while according to Article (27) of the law, the amount should be equivalent to the annual minimum wage, this has not been effectively implemented since the law was enacted. It is hoped that in future years, policymakers will pay attention to this issue. Given the significant financial burden of the Law on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the importance of meeting the needs and demands of this group of citizens, and the budget imbalance, it is necessary to develop a multi-phase action plan that prioritizes programs and secures resources in a way that leads to the gradual fulfillment of the law's obligations and enables beneficiaries to enjoy their social rights.

Abstract The bill "Membership of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Organization for the Development of Women of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation" was introduced on 21/02/2023, registered as number 868 in the 11th term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. However, due to the end of the 11th Assembly's term and the lack of review, the bill was resubmitted by the 14th government to the Islamic Consultative Assembly and was registered as number 184 on 09/10/2024 for review and opinion. According to this bill, "the government is permitted to join the Organization for the Development of Women of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation as per the attached charter and to pay the relevant membership fee; provided that, in any case and at any time, the decisions of this organization that conflict with domestic laws shall not be binding on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The determination and change of the executive body for membership is the responsibility of the government." A review of the history of the organization, its performance, and the necessity of membership in this organization in terms of strengthening Iran's role in promoting Islamic discourse globally shows that membership in the Organization for the Development of Women of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, alongside current challenges and the organization's performance, offers advantages such as a strong institutional capacity, opportunities for active engagement on the global stage, strengthening foreign policy, correcting Iran's negative image as a violator of women's rights, reforming the organization's approaches in the field of women, and promoting and disseminating these globally. Therefore, the proposed bill is endorsed.

Abstract One of the requirements for agile and transformative parliamentary diplomacy is to monitor the meetings of parliamentary assemblies in 2025 and to lay out an operational roadmap for maximizing benefits from these assemblies. In this context, the Global Parliamentary Union, with over 110 years of history, has a charter and influential affiliated bodies in diplomatic interactions. In 2025, this union will hold two sessions, one in spring and one in autumn, to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Geneva, Switzerland, respectively. Initiatives and innovations in these upcoming sessions will enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the diplomatic delegation of the Twelfth Parliament within this union. Among the key strategies are preparing a continuum of diplomatic opportunities for the esteemed President of the Legislative Branch at the Tashkent and Geneva meetings, identifying capacities for expanding balanced parliamentary diplomacy with Uzbekistan, utilizing the advisory opinions of the head of the Iran-Uzbekistan parliamentary friendship group, identifying potential support for the oppressed people of Palestine in the sessions of permanent committees, data mining from the Global Parliamentary Union's hearing sessions at the United Nations, localizing innovations from other parliaments regarding digital parliamentary diplomacy, engaging in intelligent negotiations with BRICS members on the sidelines of the Tashkent meeting, politically and publicly benefiting from the meeting of secretaries-general of parliaments worldwide, actively engaging women members of the executive council in the global women parliamentarians' meeting, delegitimizing anti-Iranian positions, and decoding the reasons and objectives behind some frequently used terms in speeches and resolutions. These strategies will create emerging diplomatic opportunities for the Twelfth Parliament in Tashkent.

Abstract The proposed budget bills from the government (executive branch) are often inconsistent with the general policies of the system; therefore, it is necessary to provide proposed mechanisms to increase the implementation rate of these policies. In this regard, no specific research has been conducted. The question of this report is what mechanisms can be proposed for the effective implementation of the general policies of the system during the budget bill preparation stage. To answer this question, a qualitative (descriptive-analytical-critical) method was used, and by referring to library resources (including legal documents, laws, and regulations), the current situation was critically studied, and the proposed mechanisms were analyzed and suggested in terms of their compliance with the constitutional law system of the country.

Abstract Simultaneously with the increase in the exchange rate in the second half of 2024, the Central Bank took action to create a commercial currency market and remove the ceiling on the NIMA exchange rate. This report addresses three discussions: the reasons for the growth and fluctuation of the exchange rate, the commercial currency market, and the effects of removing the ceiling on the exchange rate in the NIMA system. The main factors contributing to the increase in the exchange rate in the second half of 2024 include the continuation of the long-term trend of the depreciation of the national currency due to macroeconomic imbalances and inflationary expectations, the ongoing stabilization-jump cycle, expectations of an increase in the exchange rate due to political, regional, and security events, and seasonal demand increases, which were exacerbated by the adoption of two policies: extending the clearance of 10-90 and removing the import against non-oil exports policy, which fueled fluctuations in the currency market. The commercial currency market, as an "exchange market," represents a positive step towards creating an efficient official currency market. However, criticisms such as the manipulation of exchange rates in the commercial currency market through severe restrictions on demand and supply by major suppliers at lower rates and the removal of the import against non-oil exports policy have been raised against this structural reform. The imposition of the NIMA ceiling had numerous problems, and its removal was necessary. Linking the trend of increasing exchange rates in the unofficial market lacks theoretical backing and contradicts the experience of removing the exchange rate ceiling in May 2019. This report provides suggestions for managing the currency market in the upcoming seasons and years, with the most important short-term measure being the preservation of trade and currency flows from oil exports.

Abstract According to the review conducted on the provisions in the housing and urban development sector in the first phase (both the bill and the law) and the second phase, the manner of connection and correlation of these provisions in the two phases was not identified. Additionally, despite the submission of an appendix in the volumes of the second phase regarding the alignment of the bill's provisions with the seventh development plan, it is not sufficient in terms of content and specific compliance. In examining global experiences, many countries allocate between 0.5% to 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) directly to the housing sector. In the second part of the budget bill for the year 1404, the alignment and comparison of this indicator in the national budget require careful consideration of concepts, indicators, and calculations. Some indicators that were relevant and available in the second phase of the budget bill indicated that housing and urban services accounted for 2% of total current expenditures and capital asset acquisitions, and with a 26% increase compared to the year 1403, it reached 67 trillion IRR, which is a lower increase compared to the total budget (which saw a 67% growth in 1404 compared to 1403) and even less than the inflation rate, which can be interpreted as a reduction in the effectiveness of allocations in this area. Furthermore, the housing production and supply program among the 48 main programs defined in the budget bill is primarily based on construction credits (with negligible current expenditures) with an amount exceeding 28 trillion IRR, accounting for 1.5% of total institutional credits.

Abstract The "Bill for Referring the Dispute Between the Organization for the Development and Modernization of Industries of Iran (Iran Industrial Projects Management Company) and the Sataram Company to Arbitration" is submitted to the Islamic Consultative Assembly due to the non-compliance of the Sataram Company in fulfilling the purchase order. This is in accordance with Article 139 of the Constitution. Therefore, with the approval of the "Bill for Referring the Dispute Between the Organization for the Development and Modernization of Industries of Iran (Iran Industrial Projects Management Company) and the Sataram Company to Arbitration," it is agreed that since Article 139 of the Constitution requires the approval of the Assembly for referring disputes related to public and state properties to arbitration in important cases or when a foreign party is involved, the bill is approved.

Abstract Given the increasing scope, complexity, multitude, and impact of disasters in the country, and the need for humanitarian aid and rescue organizations to perform their critical duties with reliable and flexible telecommunication resources, as well as the necessity of providing technical assistance for the development of telecommunication resources to reduce disasters and conduct relief operations, the government prioritized the provision of emergency communications vital for saving lives. The "Bill for the Accession of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Tempere Agreement (Convention) on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Impact Reduction and Relief Operations" was approved by the Cabinet on September 19, 2024 (28/06/1403) and was received by the Parliament on October 20, 2024 (29/07/1403) with registration number 119.

Abstract Employees are the main assets of an organization, and managing these assets is of great importance. In this regard, managing the human capital of the government is particularly significant due to the considerable share of personnel costs in the public budget and its impact on society. Numerous studies have been conducted on this topic, primarily focusing on the weaknesses, threats, and challenges of the government's human capital system, with less attention given to strengths, opportunities, and available capacities. In this report, using focus group tools, the management of government human capital is analyzed based on the SOAR framework. Accordingly, the strengths and opportunities in the current state of government human capital management, as well as the expected future perspectives and achievements, were examined and identified, and potential capacities were recognized. In this context, opportunities for replacing the young and motivated generation in the administrative system (considering the impending retirement of a significant portion of government employees), transferring knowledge and experience from private sector organizations to the public sector, the capacity to reform and clarify extensive and complex administrative and employment laws and regulations using artificial intelligence, the capacity for centralized administrative decision-making in public executive agencies, the capacity for transformation in human capital and technologies for performing the duties of leading the country's administrative system, the integration of various human capital systems in the government, the realization of a smart government, and the enhancement of efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of the government were identified as capacities ahead for the management of government human capital that can be realized with proper planning and continuous follow-up.

Abstract According to Article 58 of the Civil Service Management Law, the Administrative and Recruitment Organization of the country is obligated to design a training system for government employees. Additionally, Article 59 of this law mandates that executive agencies must develop their employee training programs in accordance with the government employee training system. In this context, it appears that due to the improper implementation of the needs assessment process, the use of outdated training methods, imitation of academic training instead of focusing on job skills, and insufficient employee participation in the design and selection of training, the quality of some training courses has declined. Furthermore, due to the legal requirement to have a minimum training hour per capita, the issue of learning and enhancing knowledge and skills has been reduced to mere attendance in training classes, with a process-oriented approach replacing results-oriented outcomes. Therefore, to reform the training system for government employees in the short term, it is proposed that the issuance of certificates of completion for training courses announced by the Administrative and Recruitment Organization and the executive agency should replace the minimum training hour requirement. Proposed reforms for the medium term include designing personal development courses based on assessment center results for employees, utilizing modern tools in training, conducting needs assessments for training courses for managers by the Administrative and Recruitment Organization and executive agencies, and focusing the Government Management Training Center on training courses for managers. Additionally, establishing a culture of learning within executive agencies and implementing a knowledge management system are among the long-term proposals.

Abstract The total amount of support credits (including cash assistance, quasi-cash assistance, and price subsidies) in the budget bill for 2025 is estimated to be 923 trillion tomans, indicating a 41% increase compared to the approved amount of the previous year. The ratio of the support budget to the general budget can also reflect the capacity of the country's support system. This ratio in the budget bill for 2025 is about 17%, which is considered significant. Unlike previous years, in addition to the targeted subsidy resources, the general budget has also been utilized to provide support credits. Since 2023, the share of support credits funded from the general budget has significantly increased, and in the budget bill for 2025, about 15% of the total support credits will be funded from the general budget. An analysis of the components of support credits shows that since cash subsidies, bread, and medicine are considered universal support programs and are an integral part of the support budget (accounting for 83% of support credits), the actual potential capacity of the budget for 2025 to implement targeted support programs (such as providing pensions to beneficiaries of support institutions or addressing child malnutrition) is only 17% of the total support credits. Therefore, with the aim of utilizing the existing budget capacity to implement a targeted support program alongside other support programs, it is suggested that cash and quasi-cash support (electronic vouchers) be tiered in a way that strengthens support for needy households with minimal changes in the benefits of current eligible households. In this regard, considering the country's conditions and available resources, it is recommended to allocate targeted new resources (including electronic vouchers) to more vulnerable groups such as households covered by support institutions, severely poor individuals, and families with children under 6 years old. In this case, conditions such as children's education and active participation in vaccination programs and periodic health monitoring can be considered for eligible households.

Abstract An examination of the key water and meteorological indicators in the third quarter of 2024 shows that the average precipitation during this period has decreased by about 43% compared to the long-term average. Additionally, the average temperature in the autumn season across all provinces of the country has been above the long-term seasonal average, with an average increase of 1.1 degrees Celsius nationwide, making this autumn the fourth hottest in the last four decades. Due to unprecedented temperature increases and a severe drop in precipitation, large areas of the country are facing severe to very severe drought. The reserves of the country's major dams at the end of the autumn season have increased by 11% compared to the same period last year, with the total volume of dam reserves reaching 22.5 billion cubic meters at the end of this season. The water volume in the Karun chain dams is similar to last year, while the chain dams in Tehran province and Lake Urmia have fared better than the same period last year. However, major dams located in Isfahan (Zayandeh Rud), Markazi (15 Khordad), Hormozgan (Esteghlal), Kerman (Nesa), and Markazi (Kamal Saleh) have faced a minimum 40% decrease compared to the same period last year. An analysis of the climatic conditions in neighboring countries during the autumn season indicates the establishment of severe to very severe drought conditions in the Helmand and Harirud river basins. The Tigris and Euphrates river basins in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq have also predominantly experienced moderate to severe drought conditions; however, the Aras river basin has been under mild drought to normal conditions. An examination of the water sector credits shows that out of the total capital asset acquisitions, which according to the current year's budget law amount to 480 trillion rials, about 12% was allocated during the autumn season, which, when considering allocations from previous seasons, has reached 45% for the current year.

Abstract Over the past decades, reforming the administrative system has been one of the concerns of policymakers and even the general public in Iran. Many countries around the world have also implemented various policy programs to enhance the performance of their administrative systems. In this context, considering the significant influence of the administrative system and the political and social ideas of France on the formation of the modern state in Iran, some of the challenges currently faced by the country's administrative system can be explored in the similarities between the administrative systems of the two countries. The public servants system in France has historically incorporated four identity features: professionalism, training of specialized personnel, a shift from centralization to localism, and political patronage. In this regard, it seems that the most important similarity between the Iranian administrative system and that of France is centralization and political

Abstract Countries that have extensive communications with each other typically enhance their level of cooperation through various agreements, including economic, cultural, and others. One of the agreements worth mentioning in this context is bilateral legal cooperation treaties, which can be divided into several categories, including treaties on the extradition of convicts, transfer of convicts, and legal and judicial cooperation mechanisms such as training human resources. In this regard, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Government of Malaysia are seeking to establish a legal assistance agreement in criminal matters to facilitate cooperation in criminal affairs between the two countries. The Judicial and Legal Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly has added a clause to the single article to comply with Articles 77, 125, and 139 of the Constitution in the execution or amendment of the agreement, which is endorsed.

Abstract This study examines the structure of the education systems in Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, and Japan, focusing on the components of duration, composition, and number of educational stages and levels, as well as the compulsory education period and the age of entry and exit for each educational stage. The findings indicate that the government plays a central role in managing the education sector in various ways; however, the difference lies in the extent of this role. In some countries, such as Germany, the responsibility is held by the states, indicating a significant degree of decentralization, while in others, like Finland and the Netherlands, there is a combination of centralization and decentralization, and in a country like Japan, the approach is more centralized. Additionally, the governing body of education (such as the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, etc.) in the studied countries is typically a single ministry, suggesting coherence in the process of formulating and implementing policies across different levels of education. Overall, the findings of the study can be summarized as follows: utilizing the capacities of municipalities in managing and implementing educational policies, reducing the responsibilities of the ministry by leveraging the capacities of states/provinces, starting education at younger ages (5 years), varying the duration of primary education from 4 to 6 years, differing lengths of compulsory education from 9 years (Japan and Germany) to 13 years (Finland), the existence of diverse pathways for employment (even with a lower secondary certificate) or further education based on student choice, and the connection between education and employment in vocational training, which not only leads to high employment rates for graduates but also shortens the duration of general education, lowers the age of entry into the labor market, and increases industry involvement in education and even the location of training.

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