In its ninety-fifth meeting on 2nd September 2002, the Supreme Administrative Council, based on the proposal of the country’s Management and Planning Organization, and in order to organize records management and create coordination for the preservation of written (printed and manuscripts) and non-written works, as well as records, papers, correspondence, registers, and other national records in executive bodies and silimlar organizations, as well as to facilitate the preservation and accessibility of records, reduce related costs, and prevent the duplication of duties, approved the establishment of the National Archives and Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
- The National Archives Organization of Iran, along with all its duties, resources, authorities, credits, personnel, assets, records, and obligations is transferred from the Management and Planning Organization of Iran and merged with the National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran since October 23, 2002. The merged organization will hencefroth be called the “National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran”.
- The National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran is tasked with:
- Reviewing and harmonizing the functions of the two merged organizations to identify and integrate overlapping, redundant, and parallel functions, missions, and units.
- Organizing all research functions of the merged organizations into a unified research, merging the corresponding units.
- Operating its specialized missions into two independent deputies: National Library and National Archive, each with an independent budget within annual fiscal laws.
- Preparing its organizational structure, in compliance with the above provisions, within three months and submitting it for approval to the Management and Planning Organization of Iran.
- National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran shall operate in accordance with the Statute of the National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran, approved (on April 27, 1970), except where provisions of this statute conflict with the current resolution.
Note (1): The National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran may delegate executive functions concerning the sale and destruction of redundant papers and records to executive agencies.
Note (2): The National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran is obligated to sell any buildings or facilities that become redundant due to this resolution and adhereto relevant laws, use the revenue to complete buildings, implement supplementary projects, and procure necessary equipment. The Management and Planning Organization must facilitate legal arrangements for this purpose.
- Duties concerning the organization of filing systems and development of storage and archival methods for executive bodies will be handled through the Management and Planning Organization of Iran.
- The National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran is required to develop and disseminate standards for cataloging, indexing, and establishment of archival networks within six months, ensuring uniformity among archival institutions across the country.
- All archives in government entities, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidential Administration, the Institute of Iranian Contemporary Historical Studies (affiliated with the Foundation of the Underprivileged and Veterans of the Islamic Revolution), the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament), and similar institutions must comply with the standards issued by the National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran. These units must catalog, index, and digitize their records and integrate them into the national archival network. The organization will oversee their adherence to these standards according to a predefined timeline.
Note: The Management and Planning Organization is required to review the functions and roles of archival units in ministries, organizations, institutions, and non-governmental public institutions within three months, propose plans for consolidating and integrating units into the National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Supreme Administrative Council.
- The Management and Planning Organization must allocate the necessary funds to related institutions and units to enable the cataloging, indexing, digitization and networking of national records.
- The National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran must establish a mechanism aligned with the set standards and classifications to ensure that all national records remain updated. Upon requests by authorized bodies or individuals, the organization is required to provide access to archival information within a reasonable timeframe, following guidelines approved by the National Archives Council.
- The National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran is responsible for the proper implementation of this resolution. The Management and Planning Organization must report on its progress to the Supreme Administrative Council.