Independent Policy Research Institution

Advancing Dialogue, Cooperation, and Understanding Among Nations.

Founded in 2023 in Tehran, Nations’ Diplomacy Think Tank (NDT) connects rigorous academic research with Track II diplomacy, public diplomacy and constructive international engagement.

Explore Research Our Mandate

2023

Established in Tehran

Track II

Dialogue & Diplomacy

5 Desks

Regional & Global Focus

A speaker addressing the First International Congress of Nations Diplomacy in Isfahan

A speaker at the First International Congress of Nations Diplomacy — Isfahan, July 2023. Photo: ISNA NDT / IR

01 / The Institution

Research with a diplomatic purpose.

NDT is an independent, non-governmental Iranian policy research institution and a platform for dialogue among nations.

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We connect academic research with practical diplomacy through evidence-based dialogue, policy research and international engagement.

Independent & Non-partisan

A non-partisan platform managed by scholars, researchers and young professionals.

Evidence-based Dialogue

Rigorous analysis and expert exchange informing practical policy conversations.

Track II Diplomacy

Academic and civil-society channels that complement official diplomatic engagement.

International Understanding

Intercultural and academic exchange grounded in mutual respect and shared interests.

02 / Research Programs

Five Research Desks

Dedicated analytical desks investigating regional transformations, economic connectivity and international diplomacy.

All research areas

Eurasia

Central Asia, South Caucasus, Russia, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the SCO and regional security architecture.

West Asia

Persian Gulf security dynamics, Iraq and Levant developments, neighborhood policy and regional peacebuilding.

East Asia

China studies, the Sino-Iranian strategic partnership, East Asian technological governance and ASEAN engagement.

International Economy & Connectivity

North–South (INSTC) and East–West transit corridors, energy diplomacy, geoeconomics and BRICS+ integration.

Diplomacy & International Relations

Track II and public diplomacy, science and technology diplomacy, intercultural dialogue and multilateralism.

03 / Scholarly Output

Selected Publications

Policy briefs, research reports, analytical articles and periodic bulletins produced across our research desks.

Browse the library

Policy Brief PB-01

Advancing Track II Diplomacy and Regional Dialogue Architecture in West Asia

Practical frameworks for academic institutions in fostering regional confidence-building.

West Asia Desk View

Research Report RR-04

Iran’s Strategic Crossroads: North–South & East–West Connectivity Corridors

A comprehensive study on transit diplomacy, logistics and regional economic interdependence.

Connectivity Desk View

Article AR-12

Science and Technology Diplomacy in an Era of Multipolarity

Exploring collaborative models between Iranian universities and Asian research centers.

Diplomacy Desk View

International congress hall, Isfahan 2023

Visual archive — Isfahan, July 2023. Photos: ISNA ISNA

Featured Convening

Isfahan, Iran 9–10 July 2023

The First International Congress of Nations Diplomacy

Convened in cooperation with the Embassy of Austria in Iran and the Faculty of Law and Political Science at the University of Tehran, the congress brought together Iranian and Austrian scholars, diplomats and young researchers to examine the cultural and diplomatic history of Iran and Austria.

2023

Inaugural Congress

2 Days

Academic & Diplomatic Dialogue

IR–AT

Cross-cultural Exchange

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04 / Media & Visual Archive

Moments of Dialogue

A selected visual record of conferences, expert meetings and academic exchanges convened by NDT.

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01 / Conferences & Forums

Diplomatic arrivals at the congress venue

02 / Diplomatic Engagement

03 / Academic Exchange

05 / Perspective

Iran as a civilizational crossroads.

Drawing on Iran’s historical heritage connecting cultures and regions, academic and non-governmental diplomacy provides a durable foundation for mutual understanding and shared prosperity.

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