Statement by
Ms. Fatemeh Arab Bafrani
Second Secretary
Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
Before the Third Committee of the 78th Session of the General Assembly
On Agenda Item 24: “Social Development”
General Discussion
New York, 28 September 2023
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Mr. Chair,
The Islamic Republic of Iran aligns itself with the statement made on behalf of the G77 and China and the Group of Friends of the Family, while taking note of the Secretary-General's report which expresses concerns over the negative impacts of urbanization and migration trends on families, particularly those on intergenerational relations between parents, grandparents, and children.
Mr. Chair,
Family is the building block of society, without which communities and economies cannot survive. Given the key role of family and family-oriented policies, Iran recognizes the importance of protecting and empowering families in this regard. Their contribution to meeting the ambitions of the Sustainable Development Goals must be appropriately addressed.
At the midpoint on the way to 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals appear to be in serious trouble. Policy makers must assess whether their future policies work for families and that their family policies work for the future.
Our focus on the role of family must be placed in the broader context of social policies to achieve the SDGs in the areas of education, poverty, hunger, health, employment, environment, and climate change, as well as in consideration of their consequences, including on migration, urbanization, and demographic change.
Iran strives for implementing family-oriented policies aimed at, inter alia, empowerment of women and girls, in particular women heads of households and rural women and girls. The government has undertaken action-oriented plans and programs to target the welfare of families, such as facilitating launches of new businesses and entrepreneurial initiatives, providing social protection plans, cash transfers and subsidies to those in need, and offering housing loans in support of young and large families.
Mr. Chair,
Besides addressing family issues, the empowerment of family members, particularly youth, is equally important.
Investing in youth is investing in our future. Iran is fully aware of the capacity of our youth. Taking note of the importance of establishing the UN Youth Office dedicated to youth affairs, Iran highlights the importance of addressing the needs and priorities of youth from developing countries in the office's activities. With a focus on empowering young people, Iran strives to create opportunities for access to quality education, employment, decent work, and vocational skills.
Recognizing that education is the foundation for personal growth and development, these efforts seek to equip youth with the skills and knowledge necessary for a prosperous future. By fostering entrepreneurship programs, supporting youth-led small and medium-sized enterprises, and promoting job creation, Iran seeks to enable youth to participate actively in their respective economies. This not only reduces poverty and inequality but also encourages a sense of empowerment and self-reliance among young individuals.
However, youth needs are dynamic and different, requiring comprehensive approaches and continued attention. In this regard, their voices should be heard. Key emerging areas that demand focus include youth empowerment through technology and digital literacy, reducing the harms and threats of social media and new technologies, taking advantage of intergenerational dialogue, and tackling ongoing challenges in securing employment opportunities for young people.
Mr. Chair.
We would like to call attention to the negative impacts of the UCMs on the enjoyment of the human rights of older persons, persons with disabilities, youth, women, and children, among others in targeted countries, including Iran. These measures have had a serious and detrimental effect on the enjoyment of fundamental human rights, such as the right to life, health, education, and development. The Islamic Republic of Iran urges the international community to take decisive action to put an end to these illegal and inhumane measures if it is truly concerned about development, including social development.
To sum up, Mr. Chair, my delegation maintains that the family issues are marginalized in the UN agenda, despite their vitality and significance as was highlighted in Mr. Raisi`s statement, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran during this high-level week. Next year is the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family. It is imperative that the UN system, particularly DESA, refocuses its attention on family issues, as they deserve, while taking into consideration migration and intergenerational dialogue.
I thank you.